Abstract

This thesis looks at what the church has currently been doing towards women's sexual and reproductive health issues. ln particular, the aim of the thesis is to find out how the Anglican Church is involving itself in improving women's sexual and reproductive health. The study gathered both physical and religious views and experiences. Physical experiences were sourced from a case study from Malemia Traditional Authority. Findings reveal disparities between the morality of the Anglican Church and what women in general advocate. The Church is taking a role in issues of women's sexual and reproductive health through St Luke’s Hospital in Malosa. However, bound by their doctrines, much of what they advocate seems to favour those women that are married. Economic pressure forces most unmarried women to indulge in risky behaviour. The study reveals that contraceptives are advocated in the church only for those married. In reality, however, knowledge of contraceptives is high with most women, both unmarried and married. The results of the study show that condom use is not being taken seriously. While the Anglican church advocates condom use in the marriage context, reality shows that even the married are not interested in using them, whether as a contraceptive or for prevention against Hl\//Aids. ln order to educate their couples on sexual life, the church has embarked on family life education in the form of marriage seminars. However, even these too seem to benefit those that are married. Whereas the church upholds and encourages nakedness between couples, reality has shown that the trend in most homes is quite contrary, such that marital nakedness is not appreciated. From the study, the multi sectoral Hl\/ prevention approach is not being taken seriously by most families or perhaps has failed to be an appropriate strategy. While abstinence and faithfulness could be the best approach as advocated by the Anglican church, findings reveal that this is beyond women's expectation. Those married say they can afford to be faithful to their spouses but the big question they pose is "Can you measure the faithfulness of your partner, what if he is not faithful, does it make a difference?" Married women claim to be faithful but faithfulness amongst men in most cases is not considered necessary. Findings also show that those that are unmarried have failed to abstain as advised by the church.

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School	: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issued Date	: 2006

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