UNDERSTANDING THE RELIGION AND GENDER EQUALITY CONTROVERSY Why does the Christian protestant- Lutheran church clash with the promotion of gender equality? An explorative study of Tanzania family law.

Sammanfattning: Gender equality is a well-studied topic, but we have not understood to a sufficient extent how religion interacts with notions of gender equality, especially from an elite perspective. That is why this research aims first, to understand how the Protestant – Lutheran Church conceptualizes gender equality. Second, to investigate whether the church promotes gender equality or not, and third, to investigate the reasons that cause the church to clash with the promotion of gender equality on some issues by examining the family law of Tanzania. This study is guided by the Patriarchal theory. It employed a qualitative research approach – a case study of Tanzania. Data were gathered by using interviews with priests. The Lutheran church represents Protestant denominations which in many countries have been very liberal on gender equality matters but it is not well known whether it is the same with the church of Tanzania. Although the church shows some signs of promoting gender equality, there are certain matters such as women being submissive to their husbands, men being the head of the family, equality between boys and girls, divorce rights, and domestic violence that are more controversial. Specifically, the literature points out that religion continues supporting these issues in favour of men which hinders gender equality. The result of the research establishes that religious leaders of the church have a common understanding of gender equality which goes in line with what academics, the United Nations and gender practitioners understand too. Regarding the promotion of gender equality, somehow, the Tanzanian church has shown some progress towards the promotion of gender equality in comparison with some other fellow Protestant and non-protestant Churches found in the country. Lastly, the reasons for the clash between the church and the promotion of gender equality stem from the strict following of religious doctrines by the Tanzanian church that is against the liberalization of some family law matters and dissemination of Christian teachings that are out of reality as per theological teachings are concerned. However, despite the great changes the church has toward the promotion of gender equality a few challenges are remaining that need to be addressed to realize gender equality.