Executive Director for The Ark Foundation Dr. Mrs Angela Dwamena has said that Christian women can be feminists on the basis that they understand the concept and don’t take it out of context.
Feminism she explained is an ideology just like other schools of thought including sociology, psychology etc. which basically means all persons, regardless of gender, should be given equal opportunities in life. They come in various aspects she further noted; the cultural, gender, Christian, eco among others.
Mrs. Dwamena indicated that just as God created both male and female in his image, equally and to have dominion, women are equally allowed to explore and exercise this dominion and do exploits in their various endeavours.
‘’ I don’t see why a Christian can’t be a feminist if they only understand what it means and how they come into it.
‘’In the bible I learn that men and women are created equally in the image of God, and God blessed us both as men and women to have dominion, if I understand that that comes into all my relationships and all that I do”
‘’There are feminists of different kinds there are cultural feminists, liberal feminists, radical feminists, there are eco feminists, gender feminists, Christian feminists, biblical feminists there are many kinds of feminists.’’
Mrs. Dwamena however maintained that individuals who misinterpret the concept so much so as to disassociate themselves from men are perhaps practicing their own version of feminism.
“There are some people who decide that they don’t even want to have anything to do with men, they have their own brand of feminism”, she said.
She believes men and women alike should receive fair opportunities and freedom to express themselves in the Ghanaian society. ‘’I believe in holding onto our dignity, holding onto our values, I believe in putting yourself out there in such a way that you are accepted by society, people will have their individual expressions…that does not give anyone the right or justification to abuse you
‘’it doesn’t give anyone the justification to hit somebody or even to abuse somebody for the way they are dressed.’’
She however advised women to be decent and hold onto their dignity so as to portray the right message and be treated with the respect they deserve. “….as human beings with values lets hold onto decency, lets hold onto dignity and do the best we can,’’ She said. The theme for this year’s program was ‘’Press for Progress – Role of the Christian Woman’’. This is supposed to be a call for women to press forward without self-satisfaction, and make positive changes and move towards equality.
The International Women’s Day is a celebration of women’s social, political, and cultural achievements from the past and present, while pushing for progress for future generations.
