PhD defense Heleen Joziasse: 'Women's faith seeking life'

On 4 September, Heleen Joziasse (Philosophy and Religious Studies) defends her dissertation titled Women's faith seeking life at the University Hall.

Gender and religion

Between 2012 and 2017 Joziasse investigated the (religious) experiences of women in the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) and the African Israel Nineveh Church (AINC). Her dissertation, the result of this research, studies the relationship between the experiences of Kenyan women, with specific attention to the gender relations they often conceive as problematic, and their lived faith experiences with Jesus Christ.

Transformation and perseverance

In the stories of these women, Joziasse finds a certain tension: faith is both a power for transformation, and simultaneously motivates women to persevere in situations of suffering, injustice and oppressive gender relations. Nevertheless, faith in Jesus Christ offers churchwomen space and arguments to navigate between gender roles and negotiate gender relations.