Horizons magazine is published by Presbyterian Women (PW) the national women’s organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
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miners, as they are easier to bargain with. Women are asked for sexual favors in exchange for better pay for their gems, and children skip class for a little cash in the mines. The parish pastor expressed to me his concern about lowered school enrollment, increased marital disputes and dishar- mony in the community. Because families forsake traditional farming activities that used to secure their food needs, the village chief said, he has established Saturday as weekly mining-free day to make sure people tend to their fields. Cultural Systems As in much of sub-Saharan Africa, Congolese cultural values preserve a patriarchal society. The resulting attitudes and practices ensure men's power and security at the expense of women and children. Over the years and across the continent I've heard of customs around widowhood that exacerbate a bereaved woman's grief through deprivation and humiliation. Married into her husband's family in exchange for a bride price or dowry, the goods they once shared are con- sidered the property of her in-laws once he passes away. Under the pre- text that she caused his death through sorcery, and therefore needs to suffer, a widow is often expelled from the home and dispossessed of all belong- ings, even losing access to the land. Others are forced to marry their late husband's brother and become part of a polygamous household. Some have their children taken from them. Typically, church women rally to address the direct needs of widows and their families. From local con- gregations to presbyteries and national departments, women collect money to help pay for a widow's food, hygiene and clothing, organize income-generating activities for wid- ows' associations or arrange literacy training. None of these, however, address the culturally acceptable systemic violation of their basic human rights. Training Trainers This is the context in which Christine Ngalula, the associate direc- tor of the CPC's Women and Fami- lies Department, decided to take its role a step further. A pioneer woman theologian (seminary graduate) and pastor marginalized in a male-domi- nated church hierarchy, Christine envisioned countering cultural prac- tices with the letter of the law. She orchestrated what has become a full- blown campaign for women's and chil- dren's rights, gathering 50 participants from each of the seven synods where the program was piloted. These 350 people (75 percent women, 25 percent men) were equipped to recognize— and train others to recognize—what constitutes a violation of the rights of Christine Ngalula, associate director of the CPC's Department of Women and Families, meets with PC(USA) mission coworker Jeff Boyd to discuss the positive impact of the marriage registration campaign. Resources Men in the Mirror: Constructing and Applying a Christ-centered Masculinity to Interpersonal Relationships By Kevin Frederick Ending violence against women will require commitment from men and women around the world. This resource, published by Presbyterian Health, Education & Welfare Association, is a 13-session curriculum that invites men to reflect on their relationships and relationship skills by studying the example of Jesus Christ. Download for free at www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/phewa. Learn more about Christi Boyd's ministry at www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionconnections/boyd- jeff-and-christi. This page includes letters and updates about her work in Africa. Me n i n th e Mi r r o r O r i e n t i n g O u r L i v e s To w ard a C h r i s t - C e n t e re d M as cu li n i t y By R e v. D r. K e v i n E. Fre d e r i c k A Christi Boyd 12