Gender in Religion and Development Research: Appropriating Feminist Epistemology and Methodology for Religion and Development Research in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Abstract

A rights-based approach to development considers specific ways in which sustainable development is interlinked to human rights and how achieving them may transform human societies. Religion and development research, in this context, seeks to investigate the entrenchment of myriad forms of human rights abuses taking place across the world, develop interventions targeting the most vulnerable and to further make important contributions in the quest to improving the livelihood of people globally. This chapter is about the intersections of religion and development research with a special focus on gender inquiries. What can feminist epistemology and methodology contribute toward religion and development research? Consequently, it considers the appropriation of feminist epistemologies and methodologies for religion and development research1. The chapter uses one narration from a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) 2 annual report in Kenya3 as an illustration. The chapter begins with an overview of religion and sustainable development in Africa and points to the vitality of religion on the continent. It highlights feminist epistemological and methodological positions useful for religion and development research. Further, the chapter shows that feminist methodologies contribute to Religion and Development research as these methodologies resist metanarratives and sweeping claims but opt for contextualised