6.5 Practical Implementation of the Frameworks
6.5.1 Workshops
Emerging from this research are at least three major issues that are noted to be responsible for placing women of St Alois Catholic Rural Mission Station in a state of vulnerability. These are: gender inequality, poverty and HIV and AIDS. The discussions have revealed that these issues are intertwined and need attention. Women of St Alois Catholic Rural Mission Station who are living with HIV and AIDS are facing the dilemma of three issues. It is the context of the status of these women which has brought about new challenges to the mission of the Catholic Church of St Alois. The Church can no longer turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to the situation. Therefore the researcher has suggested a series of workshops that can assist in bringing about transformation to the context of the research. At least five workshops are to be carried out as described below.
271 John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight 1993, pg. 3.
272 Robert C. Linthicum.1991. pg. 23.
111 In this research, men have more often been viewed as part of the problem in the spread of HIV and AIDS. Therefore it is equally important that they get involved as part of the solution. As argued by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, “There are good examples of men working alongside women to break down barriers and advance the status of women in the Church.”273
• Participants introduce themselves to get to know each other from the perspective of the work ahead of them.
This means that men should act together with women in an effort to transform the situation of gender relations and poverty, as well as the situation of HIV and AIDS which is devastating their families, Church and the entire community. The engagement of men in the process of transformation forms a dialogical approach which helps both women and men to interact in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, hence become partners in effecting change.
In the same way, this interaction makes it easier for the Church to have mutual support in its process of transforming the situation, more especially on issues that need combined efforts.
Therefore, the suggested workshops combine both women and men in discussions so that the solutions which arise will have moral support and can be implemented without tension or suspicion of each other. The advantages for this approach lies in the fact that participants come to terms with what is going on around them and become aware of their importance in decision making.
6.5.1.1 Procedures for the Workshops
6.5.1.1.1 Important Tips for Effective Running of the Workshops in the Initial Stage
• Participants share their anxieties and expectations about the workshop.
• Participants, together with the researcher, develop a list of ground rules that explain what they all expect in the working atmosphere. This is done to ensure a supportive atmosphere during the workshops, and to negate any differences or suspicion.
273 World Alliance of Reformed Churches Researches. 2003, pg. 16.
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• They should have discussions on the workshop agenda and where possible, adjustments can be made to incorporate participants’ expectations and concerns.
The following workshops are a suggestion of what can be done as a response to the results of this research. The approach has accommodated a number of other people, rather than only concentrating on women of St Alois Catholic Rural Mission Station who are living with HIV and AIDS. This is done as a way of creating an effective transformation for the entire community of St Alois. It is a way of liberating and empowering the whole community.
These workshops will be held at the Church or at a convenient place suggested by the community leaders. Workshops are set to be covered in five days but at different times by consensus of the participants.
113 WORKSHOP ON GENDER RELATIONS (4 hours in total)
Participants: Priest, Nuns, Mission Council
Facilitators: Invited Guest with knowledge on Gender issues / Researcher
Aims of the Workshop
- To introduce and examine the concept of gender and gender transformation.
- To conscientise the leadership of the Church on the necessity of gender issues both in Church and society.
- To assist the Church and its leadership to utilize fully its own potential and internal resources such as the Bible, theology, liturgy and to develop a positive value system in transforming gender.
Objectives: By the end of the workshop, participants are expected to be able to achieve the following objectives:
- To develop an appreciation of different roles and values placed on women and men.
- To develop patterns of ministry that tries to foster the type of relationship between women and men that transforms gender.
- To utilize the prophetic framework in analysing social injustice.
Activities in small mixed groups of four people (2 hours) - Participants discuss their understanding of gender.
- Identifying the roles of women and men in families and in Church.
- Discussion and listing down the values of women and men in society, family and in the Church.
- Selecting and analysing some biblical passages that encourage the partnership between women and men.
- Analysing the biblical perspective of gender justice.
Presentation of group findings comments and responses.
Activities in a Large Group (2 hours)
- Identifying strategies for challenging gender barriers within the Church and society.
- Identifying positive strategies for improving the understanding of gender relations.
(Allowing women to read and preach in Church, asking men to become ministers of hospitality, encouraging men, women and women to sit together in Church).
114 WORKSHOP ON GENDER RELATIONS (4 hours in total)
Participants: Ordinary Parishioners of St Alois Mission Facilitators: Invited Guest knowledgeable in Gender Issues
Aims of the Workshop
- To introduce and examine the concept of gender and the need for gender transformation.
- To engage women and men in a learning process where they can participate in dialogue and experience personal empowerment.
- To encourage women and men participants to articulate their experiences and to become equal partners in their communities.
Objectives of the Workshop: By the end of the workshop participants are expected to be able to achieve the following objectives
- Appreciate the different roles placed on them as women and men.
- To develop a positive attitude on gender issues.
Activities in small mixed groups of about four people (2 hours)
- Participants will examine how different roles are placed on female and male babies within their respective communities and/or communities, by reflecting on common responses to the birth of a girl and boy child.
- Participants will examine how these responses convey certain values to the older girls and boys in the families about their value.
- Discussion on how this can be changed to place equal value on both girl and boy child. Identify familiar myths, proverbs, beliefs, stories, songs, sayings, jokes, insults, etc, which name specific characteristics, behaviour and roles of women and men.
- Discussion on the stereotypes promoted by these cultural expressions.
Presentation of group findings, comments and responses.
Activities in a Large Group (2 hours)
- What are the main messages about women and men as promoted by the myths, beliefs, etc?
- Do these stereotypes affect women and men in similar in similar ways? Why/why not.
- What impact do they have in our communities, families and in Church?
- What barriers do they create and reinforce in our homes? e.g in the relationship between husbands and wives and in the way girls and boys are treated in the family.
115 WORKSHOP ON HIV AND AIDS (4 hours in total)
Participants: Ordinary Parishioners of St Alois Mission Station
Facilitators: Medical Personnel, Religious Leaders and the Researcher Aims of the Workshop
- To conscientise the participants on the causes and effects of HIV and AIDS.
- To equip parishioners with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to serve their own outstations and communities more effectively in the struggle against HIV and AIDS.
Objectives of the Workshop
- To develop a better understanding of HIV and AIDS pandemic.
- To develop a way of relating and communicating with people who are living with HIV and AIDS.
- To develop a positive attitude on the whole issue of HIV and AIDS.
Activities in small mixed group of four people (2 hours)
- Participants discuss their understanding of HIV and AIDS.
- Participants discuss what they believe to be the driving force behind the spread of HIV and AIDS.
- Discuss and analyse the impact of HIV and AIDS on individuals, families and the entire community.
- Discussion on who the participants think as the most exposed to HIV and AIDS and why.
- Discussion on the myths, beliefs, stories and values about HIV and AIDS.
- Participants discuss stories that they have heard surrounding the issue of HIV and AIDS.
- Presentation of group findings, comments and responses from the whole group.
Activities in a Large Group (2 hours)
Basing on the report from smaller groups, the large group discusses the following:
- The strategies for involving more people in the understanding of HIV and AIDS since the pandemic is increasingly affecting more families, resulting in many AIDS orphans.
- Discussing and highlighting positive cultural practices that can be used to help stop the spreading of the pandemic.
- Discussing what participants think their local Church can do to reduce the spread of the pandemic.
- Identify strategies for change of attitude towards HIV and AIDS in the Church and society..
116 WORKSHOP ON HIV AND AIDS (4 hours)
Participants: Women Living with HIV and AIDS
Facilitators: Medical Personnel / HIV and AIDS Programme Coordinator / Researcher
Aims of the Workshop
- To assist women living with HIV and AIDS to live positively with their condition - To empower women living with HIV and AIDS with skills for a deeper understanding
of the social and cultural factors behind the spread of HIV and AIDS.
- To empower participants with a biblical basis for fighting the stigma of HIV and AIDS.
Objectives of the Workshops By the end of the workshop participants will be able to achieve the following objectives
- To develop an understanding of the harmful cultural practices that fuel the spread of HIV and AIDS.
- To be aware of the various social factors that precipitate the spread of HIV and AIDS.
- To develop self-esteem in facing the challenges that make them vulnerable to HIV and AIDS.
- To use the framework of liberation to propound the theologies of life, hope and social justice.
Activities on small groups of women alone (2 hours)
- Participants discuss their understanding of HIV and AIDS.
- Discussion on various social factors that precipitate the spread of HIV and AIDS.
- Discussion on the myths, stories, beliefs and values about HIV and AIDS.
- Participants identify useful and harmful cultural perspectives in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
- Discussion on the position of the government, the community and the church in relation to HIV and AIDS.
- Testimonies of participants’ experiences of being HIV positive in a family, community and the Church.
- Presentation of group findings, comments and responses from the large group.
Activities in a Large Group (2 hours)
Basing on the findings from smaller groups, large group discussion takes place.
- Participants create list of the steps that can be taken at the personal and community level to try to fight against HIV and AIDS.
- Participants create a list of possible key strategies that the Church can apply to address the discussed issues.
117 WORKSHOP ON HIV AND AIDS (4 hours)
Participants: Men in the local communities of St Alois Mission Station Facilitators: Medical Personnel / HIV and AIDS Coordinator / Researcher
Aims of the Workshop
- To conscientise men on the effects of HIV and AIDS in families, community and the Church.
- To conscientise men on their importance in reducing the risk of HIV and AIDS.
Objectives of the Workshops By the end of the workshop participants will be able to achieve the following objectives
- To develop a better understanding of HIV and AIDS pandemic.
- To develop an understanding of the effects of HIV and AIDS on their families.
- To be aware of the various social factors that precipitate the spread of HIV and AIDS.
- To gain an understanding that both women and men should fight all the driving forces behind the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Activities on small groups of men alone (2 hours)
- Participants discuss their understanding of HIV and AIDS.
- Participants discuss what they believe to be the driving force behind the spread of HIV and AIDS.
- Discussion on the myths, stories, beliefs and values about HIV and AIDS.
- Participants identify useful and harmful cultural perspectives in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
- Discussion on the position of the government, the community and the church in relation to HIV and AIDS.
- Presentation of group findings, comments and responses from the large group.
Activities in a Large Group (2 hours)
Basing on the findings from smaller groups, large group discussion takes place.
- Participants create list of the steps that can be taken at the personal and community level to try to fight against HIV and AIDS.
- Participants create a list of possible key strategies that the Church can apply to address the discussed issues.
118 6.7 Conclusion
WORKSHOP ON ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (2 hours)
Participants: Religious leaders, Community leaders, Mission Pastoral Council, Parish leaders, Women living with HIV and AIDS and any interested members outside this circle.
Facilitators: Invited speaker from Community and Development Department / Researcher
Aims of the Workshop
- To explain the concept of ABCD framework.
- To conscientise people to recognise their own assets, talents, skills and capacities.
- To empower people to become self-sustaining by using their assets, talents, skills and capacities.
Objectives of the Workshop: By the end of the workshop participants are expected to have achieved the following objectives.
- To appreciate their own talents, assets, skills and capacities.
- To develop self confidence in commitment to creating concrete strategies that can alleviate the devastating poverty and hunger.
Activities in small groups of four people (2 hours)
- Participants begin by mapping and naming the assets that are found in their community.
- Participants identify and list the talents and skills amongst themselves and discuss how they can be used to effect change in their state of poverty and hunger.
- Presentation of group findings, comments and responses.
Activities in a Large Group (2 hours)
- Listing of suggestions on what participants think can be done to alleviate poverty and hunger in their families and in the community.
- Suggesting a way forward in implementing the ABCD framework.
- Suggestions on how the local Church can be engaged in self-sustaining activities of its parishioners.
119