About the project

This research project investigates the empowerment trajectories of young Coptic orthodox women from Upper Egypt who participate in a woman empowerment training through the Coptic Orthodox Church (COC). As young women in a country where Coptic Christians represent a religious minority, and where Egyptian culture – and COC can be described in terms of hierarchy and patriarchy, young Coptic orthodox women experience an intersection of structures that influence their lives. Not only religion and gender, but also age, class and marital status make up an intersection of identities for these young women. This intersection represents both limitations and opportunities that this study investigates to better understand these young women’s empowerment trajectories. It does so by looking at the case of a woman empowerment training within COC.

The overall aim of the study is to contribute to an increased understanding of the empowerment trajectories of young Coptic Orthodox women and discuss what this mean for a Christian social development practice that aims at addressing gender injustice. By providing a deeper understanding of empowerment trajectories within this one context, the research is interdisciplinary and contributes to producing knowledge for development practice conducted in a faith-based or religious context, where gender justice and empowerment is a focus.

The research applies a feminist research methodology, collecting qualitative data through in depth-interviews, focus group discussions, personal journals, and participatory observation.

Background

Master in Gender Analysis in International Development from University of East Anglia, UK, and Master in Global Studies from VID, School of Mission and Theology.

Research Group

CODE (Diaconal Community Development).