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A two-year project by Tearfund to tackle sexual inequality among Christians in parts of Africa has produced positive results. The initiative was aimed at churchgoers in Burkina Faso and was prompted by a 2004 UNAIDS report which said married women are the most vulnerable people to HIV. The project set out to examine sexual attitudes among Christians and to promote sexual rights for women. Some 180 adults and 90 young people were involved as well as 30 church leaders. The following quote from the wife of a Christian in Burkina Faso gives an idea of the attitudes that can unbalance the nature of relationships: `The men treat us like beasts. They come in, have sex and leave.' Through Tearfund partners, awareness and educational work was done with men and women in various settings such as marriage seminars, young people's meetings, church groups and among men at football matches. Women in Burkina Faso discuss what they have heard about sexual attitudes and equality at a Tearfund project event. Feedback afterwards among women in the Burkina Faso village of Vipalago showed that they were enjoying better dialogue with their husbands. This has resulted in more joint-decision making not just in their relationships and sex life but also in the running of the household and the spending of money. One woman said, `It has very much helped in my household. We've had challenges and changes.' Among the Vipalago men, there have been fundamental changes as well. Husbands who previously slept in separate huts to their wives are now under the same roof which also means they are taking a greater interest in bringing up the children. A men's group discusses equality issues in Burkina Faso society. In the country's capital, Ouagadougo, girls reported better relationships with their parents, particularly their fathers who were often in the past feared but now there is real communication. Among boys, respect for girls has increased, especially noticeable in school where the boys allow the girls to participate in classes. At home, boys show more willingness to do domestic chores. Mandy Marshall, Tearfund's Gender Adviser, said the project's work was about restoring relationships as God originally intended them to be and that the church was important because it has such a powerful influence on gender relations within Africa. Mandy added, `Challenging and changing attitudes does not happen overnight but in just two years we have seen some significant changes in people's behaviour.' Courtesy of: http://www.tearfund.org/ |
