No Way To Empower Women

DEAR editor, allow me to respond to the letter written by Reverend Willem S Hanse titled ‘Christianity vs Tradition’ (30 November 2012).



I agree with the call of being relevant in society and not wasting time on peripheral issues. However, Hanse may be mistaken concerning the implications of Olufuko. With all due respect, you seem to be ignoring the obvious problems of this cultural practice by referring to them as a corrective measure of lost values.
Moreover, you indiscriminately denounce the church’s critique of this practice as irrelevant – simply out of personal preference. 


First, Olufuko undermines the ongoing efforts to fight the oppression and denigration of women, by subjecting them to the entertainment of men. The practice promotes the idea that women are sexual objects, goods to be picked from a cultural auction block and be confined to homes.
Secondly, it is a cultural practice that is good enough for other people’s daughters but not for the daughters of those who promote and organise these events. There is no way you would endorse such an oppressive and dehumanising system as a corrective measure.


The church ought to speak out against cultural practices that disadvantage people (especially women). We ought to ensure that women are offered equal opportunities to contribute to society in more meaningful ways other than being merely wives or child-bearers.
Therefore, we should rather embrace activities that empower women not only as wives to be but also as contributors to society in the 21st century – Olufuko does not do that, thus making it a harmful practices.


In this matter I can’t help but oppose your errors because you choose to believe and promote the obvious oppressiveness embedded in Olufuko.
May the Lord remove any prejudice from all of our eyes and grant us zeal that will help free women from oppression.

Basilius M Kasera
Via the website

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