Tamar's cry as a metaphor for public awareness against women abuse: a practical theological engagement

[摘要] English: This participatory action research journey with co-researchers in the Galeshewe area, Kimberley explores the impact of public-awareness-campaigns on male abuse against women. In South Africa with its world renowned constitution of human rights and reactive legislative measures to vigorously instill gender equality, women are being abused on a daily basis. In 1982 public-awareness-campaigns analyzed women's experiences and began to publicly advocate for the ongoing solidarity amongst women, to address the abomination of male abuse against women and for gender equality. In 1999 South Africa joined the global initiative to rebel against male terrorism of women. Public-awareness-campaigns of male abuse against women objectify to minimize and eliminate the atrocity of male abuse against women. The narrative of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13: 1-21 are used as metaphor to give meaning to the atrocity of male abuse against women. Male abuse of women cuts across cultures, nations, societies, religions, social and economic boundaries. It is prevalent amongst married and unmarried heterosexual couples, lesbians and gays and males known and unknown to women who are abused. Within this pluralistic, diverse, democratic and secular country, restriction of women rights is perceived as the result of patriarchal religious teachings. Male abuse against women is inclusive of physical, psychological, emotional and sexual violence. Sexual violence is afforded its own category of violence because of demeaning prevalence within society. The world renowned constitution of South Africa with its vigourous legislation, as well as public-awareness-campaigns fails to prevent the ever pervasive practice of male abuse against women. A change of attitude seems to be needed. This study is both qualitative and empirical narrative research from a social constructionist epistemological perspective. The objective of the research is to gain practical wisdom. How can a public pastoral theology contribute to the success of public-awareness-campaigns? What is the impact of public-awareness-campaigns on male abuse against women? The church was spearheading the apartheid struggle in South Africa. Oppression of races was unacceptable and society fought against this oppression. What is the difference amongst genders that society accepts gender inequality? Where is the vigour of the ecclesia to continue with the struggle for gender equality? Male abuse against women denotes a social construct that infringes on the wholeness and human rights of both males and females. Public-awareness-campaigns in essence advocate for the respect and restoration of human dignity and human rights. Male abuse against women robs men and women of abundant life. Public pastoral theology will be the vehicle through which the research will be done. A holistic approach to the concrete local unique moment of practice can be nothing other than public. Male abuse of women cannot be discussed in the private arena of women only. Males should be included in any discussion or interaction of male abuse against women. Including males in the interactive discussion of male abuse against women guarantee a more holistic approach to the atrocity. Male abuse against women is a reality experience within society. Reality experiences emphasize the context of the individual. The research problem is explored from the narrative of Tamar and is then placed within a public pastoral context. Tamar's experience at the hand of Amnon is given meaningful understanding within her own religious, cultural and traditional context. It is within this context that her reality experience is verbalized in her cry, 'that such a thing is not done in Israel. A multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural, multi-linguistic, multi-religious holistic approach from the local, specific context is suggested to arrive at meaningful interaction with the abomination of male abuse of women.

[发布机构] University of the Free State