Women, use your talents! How does the Fiangonana Loterana Malagasy (Malagasy Lutheran Church) through the “Use Your Talents” project empower women?

Abstract

The FLM UYT project aims a sustainable development in Madagascar through promoting and supporting grassroots initiative, emphasizing on the use of the talents of church members in the local community. The purpose of this thesis is to gain an understanding of the impact of an emphasis on gender equality and women empowerment in the work of UYT at national level and particularly in two synods in the south of Madagascar: Ambovombe Androy and Betioky Atsimo. Interviews and surveys were conducted in field to collect data. After analyzing the data, the results reveals that despite the fact that UYT, as a practical diakonia, at the same time lift up people dignity, give them opportunity to not only participate in God’s mission but in serving its community but also cement the oppressive gender roles and social system.