아프리카ㆍ중동

The participation of women in the reduction of poverty and in the community development process is required; in fact, the role of women is crucial. However, their role in the process of community development is neither clearly defined nor recognized by the family and society. Therefore, this study seeks to find and analyze a role model for women, who are important stakeholders in the development process, and to apply the model to the case of Mozambican women. In this study we analyze the “Capable Woman” of the book of Proverbs 31:10-31 according to her roles and responsibilities in the household and community. Then, a comparative analysis is made of the Capable Woman and Mozambican women, examining their roles and the social setting in which they live. As a result of the comparative analysis, it is found that Mozambican women work hard and assume responsibilities for the family just as the Capable Woman does, but Mozambican women are constrained by socio-economic and cultural obstacles. In fact, Mozambican women represent a poorly qualified labor force and its low outcome which are directly linked to socio-economic and cultural context. In particular, gender disparity, low educational level, limited access to resources, and discriminatory cultural practices limit or impede Mozambican women from participating in and contributing to the development process and the improvement of the quality of their lives. Therefore, in this study we stress that based on the analysis of the ”Capable Woman” it is necessary to enhance and boost capability and productivity of Mozambican women as the main work force and also to change socio-economic and cultural conditions in order to enable women to play a more active role in the household and community.