Project proposal Topic A Study of HIV Prevention in Marriage in Zimbabwean Context in the Light of Ezra Chitandos anti Patriarchal

Pastoral Approach.

Introduction The effects of HIV on people have become topical in this era to the extent that they are mentioned almost at every forum. This is so because it is a virus that causes death and has no treatment so far. Therefore any Church which is worth its saltiness cannot afford not to talk about HIV and be a responsible Body of Christ that cares about its flock.1

This research is aimed at studying the prevention of HIV infection in marriage in the Zimbabwean context. Ezra Chitandos2 anti patriarchal approach will be used in examining prevention of HIV infection in marriage. Chitando views Patriarchy as the major stumbling block in the prevention of HIV infection in marriage.

This proposal is going to discuss the background to the problem, the statement of the problem and the objective of the research. The research questions, scope and limitations and justification of the research will also feature in the proposal. Other issues that the proposal

Ezra Chitando, Acting in Hope: African Churches and HIV/AIDS 2 [Geneva: WCC Publications 2007] p. 1 Ezra Chitando is affiliated to the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS initiative in Africa [EHAIA] and World Council of Churches [WCC] as well as Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, and Philosophy, at the University of Zimbabwe
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will cover are the research methodology, the outline of the research and an annotated bibliography.

Background to the Study Marriage was regarded as the safe zone in terms of HIV infection in Zimbabwe, but now it is regarded as a high risk area. A recent report compiled by stakeholders involved in HIV and AIDS in Zimbabwe highlighted that the majority of people living with HIV and AIDs are in marriage. 3 According to this report 25% of HIV positive males and over 50% of HIV positive females are in marriage. The Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2010-11 indicated that 15.1% married men and 1.6% married women reported to have had sexual intercourse with more than one partner in the past twelve months before the survey.4 This shows that women have the highest number of infection compared to men.

Statement of the Problem HIV prevention methods such as the use of Condoms; both male and female, the Abstinence, Faithfulness and correct use of condoms have failed to yield desired results in prevention of HIV infection in marriage. The major obstacle theologians like Chitando are citing in the implementation of HIV prevention methods seems to be male dominance in making sexual decisions in marriage. This makes women powerless to make decisions on safe sex practices in marriage such as use of condoms and HIV testing before having unprotected sexual intercourse.
The Herald 08 February 2012, Majority Living with HIV/AIDS are in Unions: Report available at http://www.herald.co.zw accessed on 08 February 2012 4 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2010-11 available at http://www.measuredhs.com accessed on 09 February 2012
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There is therefore need for the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe to review some rigid elements in Christian Theology that has buttressed this dangerous ideology of patriarchy.5 It is therefore the aim of this research to review how the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe can address the issue of HIV infection using Chitandos approach.

Research Objective The objective of this research is to find out how The Methodist Church can adopt a pastoral theology that addresses the vulnerability of married women to HIV infection. The research will also seek to establish if there are other factors besides patriarchy that contribute to the vulnerability of married women to HIV infection.

Research Questions 1. How dose the payment of the bride price by husbands promote a patriarchal structure in marriage? 2. What is the relationship between patriarchal ideologies and womens vulnerability to HIV infection in marriage? 3. Is the desire by married to have children increase the risk of not observing safer sexual practices?

Ezra Chitando, Acting in Hope: African Churches and HIV/AIDS 2 p. 3

The Scope and Limitations The research will be limited to Ezra Chitandos anti patriarchal approach and HIV prevention in marriage in the Zimbabwean context. The Shona practice of Kuroora [paying of the bride price] will be used as a patriarchal practice that promotes the subordinate position of women in marriage. Information from Zimbabwe demographic and Health Survey 2010-2011 and Zimbabwes report on HIV and AIDS to the United Nations General Assembly special Session will be used to provide statistical data.

Justification and Significance of the Study The infection of married women by HIV is a cause of concern because marriages other objective is to raise a family. Some married Zimbabwean women always want to fulfil this objective thereby risking to have unprotected sex as well as being infected by the HIV virus. Therefore a study that seek to bring a new understanding that can be used to tackle the issue of HIV infection in marriage may go a long way in fighting HIV infection in marriage. This new understanding may also benefit the church in developing a theology that will address destructive ideologies such as patriarchy.

Research Assumptions 1. The Shona practice of payment of the bride price by husbands promotes patriarchy in marriage which makes women vulnerable to HIV infection. 2. Christian Theology can play a vital role in transforming the attitude of men towards patriarchal beliefs in marriage.

Methodology It is proposed that this research be based on finding the relationship between patriarchal practice of Kuroora in the Shona culture and HIV infection to married women. Therefore the methodology that will be used is the pastoral approach based on the concept that theology is about the relationship between God and humanity, God responding to human situations through the church. In this case the church must come with a theology that responds to human suffering caused by HIV.

Karl Rahner argues that pastoral theology is what the church do on a daily basis to its members. This calls for the church to develop a theology that comprehends every human situation, a theology that works as a critical conscience that helps it to be conscious to the world in which it lives. 6

The Shona patriarchal practice of Kuroora is the predictor variable7, HIV infection in marriage is the criterion variable8. The research is literature based therefore the existing literature in this case becomes the data that will be used.9 Statistics from the Zimbabwe demographic and Health Survey 2010-1110 and Zimbabwes report on HIV and AIDS to the

Robert L Kinast, How Pastoral Theology Functions available at http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu accessed on 10 February 2012 7 Charles H Ellis, Research Variables available at http://srmo.sagepub.com accessed on 06 February 2012 8 Charles H Ellis, Research Variables 9 Chris Hart, Doing Your Masters Dissertation [New Delhi : Vistaar Publications, 2005] p. 58 10 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2010-11 available at http://www.measuredhs.com accessed on 09 February 2012

United Nations General Assembly special Session11 covering 2008-2009 will be used to in providing statistics sexual behavioural patterns of married men and women.

The Structure of the Research 1. Chapter 1 Introduction: - The introduction will be composed of some of the following items, statement of the problem, the purpose of the research, research questions and the structure of the dissertation 2. Chapter 2 Literature Review: - This chapter will have a critical analysis of Chitandos theology and patriarch. It will be composed of the following sub-headings: Patriarchy in the Bible, Chitandos anti patriarch and the Zimbabwean culture and The Christian concept of marriage and patriarchy. 3. Chapter 3 Methodology: - This chapter gives a detailed discussion on the selected method and reasons why the method was selected. This chapter will also discuss the type of data to be used and why the data is selected. The validity of the data will also be discussed in this chapter. 4. Chapter 4 Data Analysis: - This chapter will examine the relationship between the two variables using data from two selected reports. 5. Chapter 5 Research Findings: - This chapter will summarise research findings and give recommendations. 6. Conclusion: - This will summarize the whole dissertation and suggested possible areas for further study.

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Zimbabwe s Report on HIV and AIDS to The United Nations General Assembly Special Session, available at http://www.unaids.org/en/dataanalysis accessed on 10 February 2012

Annotated Bibliography 1. Adrian Van Klinken, Transforming Masculinities, Towards Gender Justice in an Era of HIV and AIDS: Plotting the Pathways In Hoose Bernard [editor], Christian Ethics: An Introduction [New York: Continuum, 1998]: This article discusses the centrality of masculinity in the study of HIV and how it is understood theoretically. The article also investigates the issue of masculinity in the context of HIV and AIDS.

2. Gareth Moore, Interpersonal and Sexual Ethics: Sex, Sexuality and Relationships. In Hoose Bernard [editor], Christian Ethics: An Introduction [New York: Continuum, 1998]: This article focuses on the purpose of sex and circumstances where sexual acts are permitted in the Christian perspective. The author discusses the view that sex was ordained by god and the proper context of sexual acts is marriage where it is for producing children.

3. Russell S Chandran, Christian Ethics.[Delhi: ISPCK, 1997] In section six a reflection on sex, marriage and family is discussed. The problem of male domination and the assumption of male superiority are highlighted. The argument presented is that the belief on male dominance in a marriage union is a result of the support it gets from the Bible which was written from a background of male dominated cultures. Christian writings such as 1Corrinthians 11: 3-11do place womens existence as for the sake of men are also cited.

4. Leonardo Boff, Ecclessiogenesis: The Base Communities Reinvent the Church,[New York: Orbis Books, 1986] Boff in chapter seven discusses the
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liberation of women from the discrimination of patriarchal culture that is prevailing in the society and the church structures. He describes Jesus Christ as the liberator of women from the arbitrary Judaic marriage legislation. He also discusses how Christianity borrowed and adhered to the Greco-Roman and Judaic culture, and has permitted the continuity of patriarchy within its structures.

5.

Ezra Chitando and Nontando Hadebe, Compassionate Circles: African Women Theologians Facing HIV. [Geneva: WCC Publications, 2009]: This is a collection of articles by African women theologians, in chapter 5 Miranda Pillay describes sexism as an exclusive ordering of life through gender-power relations. She also discusses how sexism denies women the capacity of full selfhood and how sexism in church have contributed to sexist social constructs within which the subordination of women thrives in the family, the church and the society.

6. Ezra Chitando and Lovemore Togarasei, Teaching Religion and Gender in Contexts of HIV and AIDS in Chitando Ezra, Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in Theological Education: Experiences and Explorations [Geneva: WCC

Publications, 2008]: In this article the authors explore how religion is being used in upholding gender roles by the society. They urge the church to empower its leaders so that they will be able to be critical to injustices being done in the name of preserving culture. Theological institutions are challenged to develop a pedagogical goal so as to enable men and women to transform dangerous gender relations in the wake of HIV and AIDS.

7. Ezra Chitando, Troubled but not Destroyed. [Geneva: WCC Publications, 2009]: In chapter 3 Chitando gives an overview of African women Theologians response to HIV. He argues that male Theologians had made African Theology masculine
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in outlook and concerns of women did not prominently feature. He also cites the use of gender analysis as a helpful tool to use in highlighting patriarchal oppression and suffocation of women in the society and family.

8. Ezra Chitando, Acting in Hope: African Churches and HIV/AIDS 2. [Geneva: WCC Publications,2007]: In this book factors that make married woman to HIV infection are discussed. The major factor is lack of power by married women on making decisions on sexual matters. This is caused by a patriarchal ideology which demands that women must be submissive to their husbands. He describes getting married as a riskiest sexual behaviour an African woman can engage in.

9. Paula Clifford, Theology and the HIV epidemic. [Geneva: UNAIDS, 2005]: In chapter 2 the author argues that the church can play a major role in changing gender relations which are constructed according to societys culture. The church can formulate a theology that can modify culture. This is so because gender is purely a cultural construct which is culturally conditioned.

10. Henry

Baver,

To

Avoid

Infection

dont

get

Married.

available

http://hivskeptic.wordmess.com accessed on 05 February 2012: The article is based on the efforts by the Ugandan government in educating people about HIV prevention which are very commendable. However a survey by the Ministry of Health showed that married women are at high risk because they dont have the power to ask their husbands to put on condoms or to get tested first before unprotected sexual activity.

11. Pathfinder,

The

silent

Partner

HIV

in

Marriage.

available

at

http://www.populationaction.org/silentpartner accessed on 06 February 2012: This

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is a film documentary carried out in Kenya on HIV infection in marriage. According to this documentary in Kenya 11% of married men reported having an extra-marital affair against 2% of married women. 7% of married women in a monogamous relationship are HIV positive; this trend is not unique to Kenya only but is the same in most Sub-Saharan Africa.

12. Kristin L Dunkle Et Al, New Heterosexually Transmitted HIV Infections in Married or Cohabiting couples in Urban Zambia and Rwanda: Data Analysis of Survey and Clinical Data. Available at http://www.who.int/hiv/events/ accessed on 05 February 2012: This is a case study which was carried out in Zambia and Rwanda, the findings suggests that that a womans greatest risk HIV infection lies within a marital relationship. The researchers then recommend that the marriage should be the focus of HIV prevention programmes. The focus must be on transforming cultural contexts that support mens extra-marital sexual activities and on the other side the same culture prevent women from practising safer ways of sexual activities that will prevent them from being infected by the HIV virus.

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Bibliography 13. Baver Henry, to avoid Infection, dont get Married available

http://hivskeptic.wordmess.com accessed on 05 February 2012 14. Boff Leonardo, Ecclesiogenesis: The Base communities Reinvent the Church [New York: Orbis Books, 1986] 15. Chandran J Russell, Christian Ethics [Delhi: ISPCK, 1997] 16. Charles H Ellis, Research Variables available at http://srmo.sagepub.com accessed on 06 February 2012

17. Chitando Ezra and Hadebe Nontando [editors], Compassionate Circles: African Women Theologians facing HIV [Geneva: WCC Publications, 2009] 18. Chitando Ezra, Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in Theological Education: Experiences and Explorations [Geneva: WCC Publications, 2008] 19. Chitando Ezra, Troubled but not Destroyed [Geneva: WCC Publications, 2009] 20. Chitando Ezra, Acting in Hope: African Churches and HIV/AIDS 2 [Geneva: WCC Publications,2007] 21. Chitando Ezra and Togarasei Lovemore , Teaching Religion and Gender in Contexts of HIV and AIDS in Chitando Ezra, Mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in Theological Education: Experiences and Explorations [Geneva: WCC

Publications, 2008] 22. Clifford Paula, Theology and the HIV/AIDS Epidemic [Geneva: UNAIDS, 2005] 23. Dunkle Kristin Et al, New Heterosexually Transmitted HIV Infections in Married or Cohabiting Couples in Urban Zambia and Rwanda: Data analysis of Survey and Clinical Data available at http://www.who.int/hiv/events/artprevention accessed on 05 February 2012

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24. Haddad Beverley [editor], Religion and HIV and AIDS: Charting the Terrain [Pretoria: University of Kwazulu Natal Press 2011] 25. Hart Chris, Doing your Masters Dissertation [New Delhi: Vistaar Publications, 2005] 26. Hoose Bernard [editor], Christian Ethics: An Introduction [New York: Continuum, 1998] 27. Graham E Et Al, Theological Reflection: Methods [London: SCM Press, 2005] 28. Klinken Van Adrian, Transforming Masculinities, Towards Gender Justice in an Era of HIV and AIDS: Plotting the Pathways. In Hoose Bernard [editor], Christian Ethics: An Introduction [New York: Continuum, 1998] 29. Moore Gareth, Interpersonal and Sexual Ethics: Sex, Sexuality and

Relationships. In Hoose Bernard [editor], Christian Ethics: An Introduction [New York: Continuum, 1998] 30. Pathfinder, The Silent Partner: HIV in Marriage available at

http://www.populationaction.org/silentpartner accessed 06 February 2012 31. USAID, Country Health Profile for Su-Saharan Africa Available at http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global accessed on 06 February 2012

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