Religion, Disease, and Healthcare in Africa: Navigating Vulnerability and Violence Against Women
摘要
The collapse of African economies and the healthcare delivery system affects women. The chapter gives attention to diversity and categorizes women in varied contexts because of diverse experiences. It draws examples from Zimbabwe because of decades of socio-economic and political crises, collapsed healthcare system, and adverse effects it has had on women, generalizable across the African continent. The issues that surround women’s reproductive health rights, decision-making over their bodies, cultural stipulations, policing, oppressive interpretation, and deployment of scripture have negatively impacted on their health and well-being. The connection of religion and culture and the link with the healthcare of women is evidence of intersectionality of religio-cultural challenges that are often downplayed. I, therefore, utilize the theory of intersectionality as a tool of analysis to unravel and critique the plight of women to argue that religion has failed to champion the health and well-being of women although it has the capacity. It should, therefore, focus on transformative health practices for women in Africa.