``Why blame women for our woes``


  1. Purity Mwendwa Ndereva, AfricaNews contributor in Nairobi, Kenya Photo: Nana Kofi Acquah
    I was deeply surprised and infuriated by the assertion of a catholic priest, Fr Ambrose Muli, last Sunday that women should be blamed for the increase of gay men in Kenyan urban centers.
    Liberian women refugees sit for their rights in Budumburam, Ghana - Photo made by Nana Kofi Acquah.jpg
    In trying to explain why two Kenyan men living abroad tied the knot, Fr Muli rather surprised his congregation during mass with his remarks. He reiterated that the reason why men are marrying each other is because women have failed in marriage.

    This is outrageous, especially coming from a catholic priest who has vowed to a life of celibacy. What does he know about marriage? On what grounds did he draw his conclusions?

    Charles Okereke, a lay in the Focolare Movement said, “It sounds strange to see African men becoming gay. Some see it as fashion. I think in a relationship you need a man and woman.” He added that it is something very strange and unAfrican.

    I feel the priest’s attack on women was uncalled for and Fr Muli must apologize to women for accusing them falsely.

    Since the dawn of FM stations, women have become subjects of debate in the so called breakfast shows especially here in Kenya. Every morning there are heated debates on what a woman should do or be to a man. These debates tend to lower the dignity of women and to put blame on women for all failed and strained relationships. Women have become scapegoats for failure. When a child fails in school or a daughter becomes pregnant while in school, it is always the woman that takes blame.

    Where are the days when women used to be respected as sacred beings that brought forth life? If the current generation is working hard to destroy the little respect that is left in women then we are doomed. I see a future if not in the near future where sons will have no regard for their mothers, sisters and grandmothers.

    I think this is the sign of end times, don’t you think?


Reactions

  1. Image of ronny zikhali

    nkosilathi sibanda
    117 berichten
    Lid sinds May 2009


    What a pertinent topic there.Gay men from Africa have no one to blame, there are just as innocent as any young couple that goes into a marriage.But, as Africans we need to unpack the background to these relationships that we call Gay and taboo.First all, the Fr Muli has helped to break that hard ice.He was merely bringing the topic into the fray of public opinion.
    Take it this way: if the clergy had not uttered such in church, when and where would Kenyans and Africa as a whole start debating on this moral debate.
    Lets just look at the world we are in.There is no way that Africa may be pure when we keep on blaming what is in our midst on western practices.
    the time is now for us to look at the causes of such behaviour in our society.



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