Abstract:
The threats facing women with regards to disempowerment and violence against them are
ubiquitous, but not invincible. This study has shown that while ANE societies, which include
Egypt, Babylon, Assyria and Israel, and contemporary South Africa have some positive cultural
values, the subordination of women persists. Even though there is heightened awareness of
gender-based violence in the South African context, the efforts to lessen these hardships for
women are still too feeble. This is due to a complex cultural milieu and other problems, such
as the appeasement of the values embedded in a patriarchal society.
Pentateuchal texts show us that similar challenges existed for women in ancient biblical times.
The Hebrew Bible portrays many unfavourable incidences where women were disenfranchised
and, in some cases, abused. Examples of care and appreciation for women, who are equally
made in the image of God, are at times conspicuously absent. In view of these observations,
this study proposes a Biblically-Informed Eclectic Intervention Network Theology (BEINT)
model that reinterprets ancient historical texts to address the disempowerment of and violence
against women. This care approach would go some way to counter the negative treatment of
women in South Africa, including in places of worship.
The uniqueness of the BEINT model is that it identifies the needs of hurting women and directs
them to the organisations that may provide them with help and healing. Many women
experiencing abuse often have no idea of the organisations or ministries that are able to offer
BEINT care. The network provided by this model is likely to enhance the efforts of existing
organisations that offer help to victims of gender-based violence. While ambitious in nature,
this biblically-informed, care approach could address the challenges of South African women who are disempowered for cultural, economic and spiritual reasons. Because they are locally
based and biblically informed, religious institutions are well positioned and have the potential
to be a major resource that can be harnessed in the fight against the disempowerment of and
violence towards women.
