ABUSE OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS THROUGH CHURCH DOCTRINES AND PRACTICES: A STUDY OF MAINLINE (ORTHODOX) AND NON-ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN ASHANTI MAMPONG MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT 

The study was conducted in the Ashanti Mampong Municipality. It investigated discrimination against women and/or abuse of women in churches through doctrines and practices by mainline (orthodox) and non-orthodox (Pentecostal and African indigenous) churches. This was a mixed-method sequential explanatory design which employed the phenomenological approach. Hundred (100) respondents comprising the clergy and laity were sampled via simple random, and proportional stratified sampling methods. Data was gathered using questionnaire (Cronbach Alpha = 0.76), and semi-structured interview guide. Data was analyzed and presented in tables and figures or charts as frequency counts and percentages. The thematic approach using open-coding system was used to analyse the qualitative data. Chi square (χ2) test was used to test for the hypotheses with p < .05.  The study revealed that Female members in churches within the Ashanti Mampong Municipality have unequal rights; there is imbalance or uneven distribution of power and authority. Human rights violations or abuses of females in Christendom is statistically found to be linked to or associated with church doctrines and practices (p = .004). It was empirically found that human rights abuses of females in Christendom was largely dependent on Church practices than Church doctrines (p = .023). The church hierarchy uses canon laws, and doctrinal practices, as mechanisms to violate the rights of female members in churches within the municipality.  They use patriarchy and ‘male chauvinism’ as weapons to suppress, limit female participation in leadership and power in the church ministry. Female members of churches in the municipality experience male dominance, deprivation, rejection, denial and exclusion from leadership, participation in church administration, preaching and other church activities. It was recommended that  the Christian Council of Churches in the Ashanti-Mampong Municipality should adopt gender equality policies on women’s representation in leadership. It should campaign against the clergy who misinterpret, and misrepresent the Bible against the rights of females. The Christian Council of Churches in Ghana through the assistance of the local council of Churches within the study area should campaign and support females/women to stand for decision-making or leadership positions in churches.  They should have a civil and legal framework that will protect and promote the rights of all its members, including women.