By Irene Kuppan
In some dioceses of the Anglican Church, women are not ordained because it is believed they are more sinful than men.
This was one of the many issues raised by delegates when discussing gender issues at the Church of the Province of Southern Africa's 31st Provincial Synod, currently under way at the University of Natal's Edgewood Campus in Pinetown.
Hundreds of key decision-makers from Anglican Churches in South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Angola and the island of St Helena are attending the synod to discuss key issues affecting the church.
The synod, the church's top decision-making body, is being held under the chairmanship of Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane.
Speaking at the synod on Wednesday, various delegates urged the church to be more pro-active on gender inequalities, especially within the church.
"Although the church has taken a positive stance as far as gender issues are concerned, the church is still not sure what gender issues are all about and needs to be educated," said Grace Sethosa, of the diocese of George.
Sethosa called for the Anglican Church to set up a task team to investigate creating a Provincial Gender Desk.
The Gender Desk would produce a consolidated report on all resources, research findings, training and support for assisting dioceses and organisations to apply gender sensitive guidelines in teachings and practises, she said.
Sethosa added it was sad that one's upbringing played a major role in their position in society.
"How many women have died at the hands of men. If a man can't provide for his family as a breadwinner he ends up committing suicide and kills his wife and children in the process," she said.
Nelisiwe Bam, of the diocese of Natal, said the Gender Desk was necessary as it would bring awareness to young parents to treat their sons and daughters equally.
"Who says that if a couple are courting the man must be older than the woman? It is the man, because he wants to play the father figure to the woman.
"Why is it correct for a woman in mourning to wear black and to go stay in Swaziland for three years, but a man who loses his wife can get married a week after burying her," said Bam.
"In some dioceses women are not ordained because it is said that women are more sinful than men," she added.
In his Archbishop's Charge to the synod, Ndungane said it was important that the church helped empower women.
"We must repent of the historic patriarchy of our faith which so often colludes with discriminatory attitudes in our cultures. We must expose and oppose gender violence and all forms of inequality in our midst.
"We must build girls' and women's self esteem, assertiveness and interpersonal and leadership skills. "We must declare and demonstrate the dignity, respect and honour of all, regardless of gender," said Ndungane.