Prof. Lilian Cheelo Siwila

BIOGRAPHY

Prof. Lilian Cheelo Siwila is an Associate Professor in the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics. She is a lecturer in Theology and Gender Studies. Head of discipline for Theology and Gender Studies, Academic Leader for Community Engagement. She has worked with a number of Theological and research related organisations in the field of Gender, Theology and Culture. She is a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, and active member of a number of ecumenical bodies. Her research interests include Religion, Gender, Culture, indigenous knowledge on ecology, African Indigenous churches, Sexual and reproductive health rights and its interface with feminist Theology. She has published widely internationally recognised journals and books, including 4 edited book volumes.

ABSTRACT

Lilian C. Siwila & Rev Chali Mfuta, “If I stay home, what shall my children eat? African Church women, and the concept of survival during the Covid19 pandemic”

African Church Women’s group is one of the largest church spaces for doing theology in most parts of Africa. Known by many names these women church groups occupy the majority of the pews in the church. Their work is not only vivid in the church but in the society as well. Besides being active members of their churches, these women are also significant members in their homes. Some are single parents or widowed, while others are married all acting the pivotal role as caregivers. Although some of these women are educated and hold good jobs, in countries like Zambia most of these women run small business for daily income.

This project emerges from the ongoing research on church women’s response to Covid19 as they explore their different God given gifts. The study focused on Church Women who are also street vendors or sell on markets. The aim of this study is hear the stories of these women’s economical, social and spiritual experiences as a result of the lockdown. How did these women some of whom survive on these everyday sales manage to contain the lockdown restrictions? what kind of Theologies did these women embody in the time of the Covid 19 outbreak as care givers and as church women?