2.3
Com Unity Spirit- Interreligiöse Konferenz Graz 2013
a. Information about the Workshop
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Title: Religion and Gender – What are the paths to greater equality between the genders in the faith
communities and in society at large?
Moderator: Edith Zitz
Chair: Daniela Grabovac
Interpreter: Sabine Steinlechner
Responsible for the minutes: Hana Oprešnik
Registered participants: Poier Wolfgang, Amos Clare, Lohiker Rüdiger, Brenner Inge, Reich Carole, Okoro
John, Attia Mohamed, Käfer Ottilie, Flecker Bianca, Plessing Ingrid, Anderwald Heinz
Actual participants: Plessing Ingrid, Flecker Bianca, Attia Mohammed, Brenner Inge, Anderwald Heinz,
Lohiker Rüdiger, Poier Wolfgang, Okoro John, Reich Carole, Beata Pedrazzini, Judith Von Rotz
b. Topics discussed in the workshop
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Introduction by Daniela Grabovac
Comments and thoughts:
o It can be seen that in the 3 large monotheist religions (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) the liberal
Judaism was the first to introduce gender equality in 1935 (on a German initiative). In 2015 it will be
possible for women in the Anglican Church to be ordained as a bishop.
o Already before the Second World War there was Bat Mitzwa for girls in France.
o Converting from the Roman Catholic to the Old Catholic Church is not easy but in the Genesis it says
that God created the human being, i.e. men and women. Jesus was human – male and female. When
analysing the Bible, no reasons for the discrimination of women in religion can be found.
o For the Roman Catholic Church it seems to be important to stick to tradition. Predictive and futureoriented aspects are missed out.
o If traditions violate human rights, it is necessary to fight against them. Apartheid, slavery etc. can be
found in the Bible and have/had a long tradition. However, tradition must not contradict human
rights.
o In the Islam today, slavery is still approved but also rejected. However, it can be seen that tradition is
currently changing. But is it possible to have a woman in the position of an Imam for a mixed group?
(Comment: Currently there are 3-4 Sunnite schools of religious jurisprudence, which allow women
for women prayers.)
o Young Muslims in Austria are brought up with the knowledge that God created both sexes at the
very beginning. However, the Koran is also used to oppress women. It is documented that the Islam
in Mecca was founded with the financial support of a woman. Rights cannot be granted just like that,
women have to fight for them. The Muslim youth takes an active part (women in leading positions).
The Islam does not ban women from imamate and there is great potential to solve this problem.
o Despite the fact that in Buddhism it is said that Buddha had students from all Hindu casts, men are
very important in the Buddhist history.
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There are many laws but there is no end to discrimination as women still have to take on the roles of
mothers and housewives. It is important to change this perception in religion and society.
o The Old Catholic Church fights for women and men to be on the same level. Unless this is achieved,
there will always be problems.
o There is a big difference between compulsory sexuality and sexuality for pleasure. Religions have
focused on compulsory sexuality reducing women to the role of mothers.
o Judaism recognises divorce.
o In western feminism the spiritual aspect of strong women is often not mentioned when reporting
about them.
o In Islam young women often lack role models e.g. for job perspectives.
o Buddhist women in Europe are in a better situation then Buddhist women in Asia.
Aspects mentioned in the discussion:
o The topic of purification is often source for discrimination in terms of virginity, menstruation,
homosexuality etc. This topic is not much talked about and this slows us down in the process of
gender equality.
o Language contributes to realities and concepts and can therefore be used to empower women (see
good practice): genital mutilation in Africa must not be compared with ritual circumcision of men.
o Gender-specific language: some languages do not differentiate between men and women (big
differences between German and English).
o Language is gendered in Buddhism (talking about “sons and daughters”), however, there are not
many female Lamas.
o 2nd generation of Muslims has a different approach – girls wear a headscarf not because they have to
but because they want to – it is their conscious decision. They wear a headscarf because they don’t
want to be reduced to sexuality, or they don’t wear one because are afraid of not getting a job or
being confronted with prejudice and discrimination (e.g. women with a headscarf don’t speak
German).
o The process of development is not finished yet.
c. Recommended courses of action for municipal/religions communities
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To speak/write gender-wise correctly in religions has to lead to more justice between men and women.
The participants of the workshop suggest that dialog should take place in the form of common work.
Working together and helping others contributes to reducing prejudice.
At the same time religious texts should highlight that religions have to offer the same possibilities of
development for men and women. The balance between challenging and respecting difficulties is important,
otherwise the fight for gender equality of the past 150 years would be lost.
Dialog and getting to know each other is essential and this has to be passed on to children because they will
shape the future world and will reduce barriers.
Other views and perspectives need to be respected (most participants of the workshop perceive the world
from a western-European perspective). At the same time modern Western women should not be
discriminated.
We have to be alert for violations of human rights and humiliation, also if they have religious origins. And
they have to be named and not reduced to conceptualities.
d. Examples for good practices
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Project: Fatima. Qualification initiative for young Muslim women: Project on supporting young Muslim
women and girls. (http://www.projektfatima.at/ http://www.mjoe.at/projekte/fatima/)
Politics: Council of Europe for Youth (www.coe.int/youth)
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Association: Sakyadhita. The Sakyadhita Training and Meditation Centre offers accommodation and
education (Buddhist teaching, as well as English lessons, lessons for social work etc.) for nuns who have
recently taken their orders. These trainings are carried out by the Sri Lanka Saukyadana Movement.
(www.buddhistwomen.eu http://www.buddhistwomen.eu/DE/index.php/Projekte/SakyadhitaSriLanka)
In Luzern, gender-neutral language is used in religious contexts, e.g. „Our father and mother who art in
heaven...“.
Association: Help from the Muslim Youth Association in Austria (MJÖ) at the flooding in June 2013. The
Muslim Youth in Austria and the Catholic Youth in Vienna together appealed to the public to help.
(http://www.mjoe.at/articles/article/hochwasser-mjoe-und-kj-helfen-gemeinsam/)
e. Was there any disagreement on a specific topic?
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The reasons why Muslim women wear headscarves are perceived differently by the participants.