PATRIARCHAL STRUCTURES, A HINDRANCE TO WOMEN S RIGHTS

It has been for more than a decade now that South Africa as a country denounced any form of discrimination, including the oppression of women. The society and some of the African churches are using some of the biblical passages to oppress women and deny them the right to equality. It is for that reason that this study was made to help people to understand the patriarchal systems that dominates women and evaluate them in the light of scriptures and South African constitution, with a special focus on the bill of rights. The use of practical case studies will assist to formulate and unmask the problems faced by women in African context. The biblical view and African view of the headship of man with special women abuse issues will be compared and evaluated. The study will in the end give pastoral guidelines on how men and women can live as equal people both in the church and in the society in African context. Liberation theology pioneered by James Cone will be used pastorally and therapeutically to help in making women better people in our society.