Chapter one described the importance of this study for the Zimbabwean and wider African contexts. By outlining personal and academic motivations for engaging in this research, a stimulus has been presented for the need to develop a new approach based on African feminist pastoral care. Second, the statement of the problem and the objectives of this study were described. Third, the research methodology was briefly outlined: both the fieldwork aspects and the theoretical basis. Finally, the chapter outlines highlighting the issues to be covered in each chapter are presented below.
Chapter two will discuss feminist theories in general. The focus is on feminist theological anthropology, feminist cultural hermeneutics and feminist pastoral care, the theories which undergird proposals made by the researcher for the rehabilitation of female prisoners and ex-prisoners in Zimbabwe. The use of feminist theory is to seek an understanding of the situation of female prisoners and ex-prisoners with a view to devising contaxt-appropriate strategies by which they may be integrated back into society.
In chapter three the research methodology of the study will be outlined. This covers the process of the fieldwork, which involves the production of data via the research instruments, namely the interview, observation and a literature review. It also includes a presentation of the way this data is analysed so that it becomes useful for the study as a whole. Finally, chapter three will present the ethical considerations and limitations of the study.
Chapter four will examine the African cultural and religious construction of women’s identities with a special focus on the ethnic group represented in the sample of this study.
The objective will be to examine the cultural and religious context of female ex-prisoners,
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and the impact thereof on their lived experience. Since the study location is in Harare, the focus will be on the dominant Shona culture, to which the majority of the participants adhere. In order to achieve this objective, this chapter will be divided into four sections.
First, the ways in which the identities of women are constructed by religion and society in general are discussed. Second, the ways in which Shona culture has constructed the identities of women in the Zimbabwean context are critically examined. Third, the way in which Christian tradition has shaped the identity of African women is presented. Finally, the implications of the above constructions of women in relation to women’s lived experiences in Zimbabwe are indicated in terms of their education, employment, health, access to resources and family life.
The aim of chapter five will be to present the field research findings on how female ex- prisoners perceive themselves, their society and God. This is done by identifying major themes which emerged from the study. As each theme is discussed, the voices of female ex-prisoners from the sample will be woven in, in order to understand their experiences and aspirations. This is important because through their voices the women themselves identify what would enhance, transform or promote them in order to (upon release) allow them to participate meaningfully in building the community and bringing about life- enhancing relationships (Oduyoye 2001:16).
Chapter six will focus its attention on a gendered analysis of theories of rehabilitation.
The question that this chapter will grapple with is: what are the rehabilitation theories that one needs to bear in mind in order to analyse the experiences of female ex-prisoners and to what extent are they gendered? Using a gendered perspective and a proposed definition - from the stance of the three theories underpinning this study - of what rehabilitation in fact is, six theories of rehabilitation will be critically discussed. These are: a) self determination theory of needs, b) the good lives theory, c) transformative theory, d) deterrence theory and the hardening of the prison regime, e) social learning theory and f) healthy institutional environments theory. The strengths and weaknesses of each theory are then identified and the most useful aspects are applied to the context and perceptions of Zimbabwean female prisoners and ex-prisoners to identify six features of an African feminist pastoral care approach to rehabilitation. Using these features, the chapter will then outline and analyse the various rehabilitation programmes being run in Zimbabwe,
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while also making reference to those in South Africa. The voices of the women who participated in this study are drawn upon to highlight their preferences for rehabilitation programmes which are in line with their self perceived needs.
In chapter seven five main factors of the current rehabilitation programmes of faith- based organisations will be identified. In reponse to these factors, an outline for a rehabilitation programme based on the African feminist pastoral care rehabilitation approach will be put forward. The two final sections on the one hand identify signposts that point to possible ways forward arising from the study, and on the other hand outline broader issues to be explored under a proposed African feminist pastoral care approach.
Chapter eight will form the conclusion of the study. This chapter will be divided into two sections: first, an overview of the whole study is provided including what it has sought to achieve. In the second and final section, the contributions that this research has sought to make to the field of practical theology are outlined and suggestions for future research with regard to the pastoral care of African women prisoners and ex-prisoners will be made.
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