Gender: Intersection between religion, ecology and queerness

Abstract

In this new era, there is a rapid and swift advancement of freedom and liberation for women, especially in the context of Africa. In other cultures, women’s roles are evident and elevated, and their status is visible and supreme. This new era has seen many women “discovering” their new identities, and equally seen not as inferior to men. Additionally, eco/feminism has been able to advance women’s liberation in many forms. However, religion, especially Christianity, has not been able to “catch” up with this rapid change of gender equality, resulting to women disempowerment and a lack of advancement in those structures. For example, gender non-conforming individuals (such as Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender) have been marginalised by the dominant religious-structures. Framed against this paradox, the article proposes a holistic approach that must be established when exploring gender studies.

Keywords: Ecosystem, Feminism, Gender, Religion