Public defence: Gladys Ekone Wang

Gladys Ekone Wang defended her doctoral dissertation: “Childlessness in Marriage among the Bakossi Community in Cameroon: An African Feminist Contextual Pastoral Theology of Procreation”, for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the Faculty of Theology.

Gladys Ekone Wang. Photo

The public defence was held as a video conference over Zoom.
Time and place: Sep. 11, 2020 12:00 - 16:00

Adjudication committee

  • Dr Rose Mary Amenga-Etego, University of Ghana (first opponent)
  • Professor Tomas Sundnes Drønen, Faculty of Theology, Diaconia, and Leadership Studies, VID (second opponent)
  • Associate Professor Birgitte Lerheim Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo. 

Leader of the disputation

  • Dean Aud Tønnessen.

Supervisor

About the dissertation

This thesis offers insights into the life of childless couples within the Bakossi community in Cameroon and broader discussions of African feminist theology and the view that pastoral care and counselling currently takes on the theology of procreation.  From empirical data presented in the study, it is evident that many childless couples feel grief because of the absence of biological children. The study takes on a more gender-inclusive approach in examining cultural practices that dehumanise men and women in order to demonstrate that both men and women experience great cultural and religious discrimination in the case of childlessness. In addressing gender norms pertaining to childlessness, this study offers new insights/perspectives on the construction of gender within African family system by pointing out that childlessness transcends traditional gender power dynamics. Hence, this thesis contribute in the academic; African feminist pastoral theology, widely held discusses on childlessness in Africa focusing on cultural practices and reconceiving the theology of procreation.

Published Oct. 1, 2020 1:37 PM - Last modified Mar. 13, 2024 6:31 PM