Gender Dynamics in the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFMZ) Leadership Hierarchy

Abstract

As Zimbabwe’s Second Republic casts its eyes on attaining its Vision 2030 which is in sync with the UN’s Agenda 2030, it is of great importance that we assess gender dynamics in the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFMZ)’s leadership structures. This study’s vantage point is that although the Zimbabwean government and other regional and international organizations, such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and the United Nations, have policies that advocate for and aim to achieve gender equality in all facets of life, however, faith-based institutions such as the AFMZ have not yet aligned their structures with such policies. Reflecting on the field research conducted in the AFMZ between September 2017 and February 2018 as part of my doctoral studies, this study contends that the AFMZ is still far from achieving gender equality in its governance structures. Although there is vast literature that celebrates the democratic nature of Pentecostalism, it appears there is a gap in assessing the true state of affairs in Pentecostal churches in terms of governance structures. This study therefore seeks to present evidence that the AFMZ leadership is still hierarchically skewed in terms of gender parity. The chapter presents evidence to illustrate how women are marginalized in the AFMZ governance structures despite all the efforts by the Zimbabwean government to achieve gender equality in both state and non-governmental organizations. This is a qualitative study involving interviews and focus group discussions with sixty participants who are members of the AFMZ from Harare, Ruwa, Seke, Domboshava, Marondera, Seke, Chitungwiza and Bulawayo. The focus group discussions and interviews aimed at substantiating the contention that the AFMZ has not taken adequate measures to achieve gender equality. The study’s theoretical framework is African women’s theology which upholds gender equality in African faith communities. The study concludes by advocating for the inclusion of women in all activities of the church, especially in governance structures. This conclusion is informed by the fact that women are capable of contributing positively to the growth of the AFMZ as agents of change.