I think we had a similar discussion under a different title. I will again re-echo what I wrote previously. All faiths can use their platforms to explain the 'subordinate' position the Holy Books propound. For instance, they must explain to both men and women that by the books stating that women should take a subordinate position it does not mean that they are lesser beings than men in any way. This will help a lot in changing attitudes.

Thanks for sharing this, I believe in religion if truly we want to live in a society where we treat one another as brothers and sisters being a Christian I want to quote the recent speech by Pope   Francis during his first  visit to Africa and Kenya in particular while speaking to our leaders  " the Gospel by (Luke 12:48) to whom much is given, much will be demanded, I would encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for a common good and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society" . You could read even from the different speeches the Pope shared with different groups of people even to the extend of bringing different religious leaders in one platform to share with them a message of peace and recognizing the family institution as one that should be respected for its strong values that get reflected in the society in general, women playing a greater role in all this. If we practice what we believe in we are able to achieve anything in life and religion contributes a lot in the decisions we take in life for it often reminds us of what is wrong and right.  

Thanks for sharing this, I believe in religion if truly we want to live in a society where we treat one another as brothers and sisters being a Christian I want to quote the recent speech by Pope   Francis during his first  visit to Africa and Kenya in particular while speaking to our leaders  " the Gospel by (Luke 12:48) to whom much is given, much will be demanded, I would encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for a common good and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society" . You could read even from the different speeches the Pope shared with different groups of people even to the extend of bringing different religious leaders in one platform to share with them a message of peace and recognizing the family institution as one that should be respected for its strong values that get reflected in the society in general, women playing a greater role in all this. If we practice what we believe in we are able to achieve anything in life and religion contributes a lot in the decisions we take in life for it often reminds us of what is wrong and right.  

Thanks for your input Catherine and Kipkoech

Religion plays a big role in our lives, I think it is an important aspect of our lives as human beings. In some religion puts a woman down, a lot goes unsaid in some.

But as a Christian I believe God does not look down upon, regarding gender.  

Thats great and true faith and beliefs can in one way or the other influence or galvanizes women empowerment

Thanks Renu for your input. I like it when you said Hinduism is supposed to be a way of life. That still established a connection between belief and one' being or existence. Just out of curiosity, asides the wealth and prosperity propagated in Hinduism, has there been any way women's lives have been positively or negatively influenced by Hinduism in Nepal?

Faith and Religion does not necessarily galvanize women's economic empowerment. I can adduce you the evidences from Nepal. Though declared a secular country, Nepal is resided by predominant Hindu population. In Hindu religion, a Goddess is worshipped as a source of wealth and prosperity but women here are not more economically empowered than men. 

Hinduism in true sense, is supposed to be a way of life and not only a tie with God. But, it is only preached and not practiced.

Thanks Tazeen for this great story. That is using creativity to achieve impressionable results. I totally agree with you on invoking harmless spiritual beliefs to advance WEE

This is such a great topic, and I'd love to share a recent personal experience. My family is much more religious and spiritual than I am, and my mother in particular has strongly held on to her religious beliefs and practices that she learned when she was younger. Because I was born in a different time and place - and in a country with much different values - than she was, we often clash whenever we try to have conversations because we rarely see eye to eye. I have learned that in order to help or advise her, I need to meet her where she is, and that requires me to invoke her spiritual beliefs. This is the only way my message can truly resonate with her. I think as long as our beliefs or actions are not harming ourselves or others (e.g., in the case of extremists and zealots that we see more and more of in the news and media), then we can invoke our and others' spiritual and religious beliefs to galvanize women to empower themselves. In countries where religion or faith-based cultural customs are the dominant force, this may even be the only feasible option to empower women.