Women & Religion in Trinidad & Tobago

                           THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN RELIGION & ITS INFLUENCE ON LIFE




Generally, the Caribbean as a whole has been viewed as very religious and as such, this culture tends to direct behavior as it would be motivated to adhere to various norms within society. Trinidad is no different. A highly religious society, most are directed by the beliefs instilled during childhood by parents or guardians, and remain grounded within their respective faiths. Fundamentally, the religious beliefs directs the individual and is partly responsible for the motivation or drive to become established in society and would be a precursor to becoming prominent in society.

     

With that being said, the differing ideologies would prescribe roles for both men and women, and plays a role in how women are viewed and how motivated they are to achieve. An analysis of the two most dominant religions in Trinidad is necessary for a better understanding of how being a prominent woman in society may affect religion. According to the Trinidad and Tobago 2011 National Population and Housing Census Demographic report, the two most dominant religions in Trinidad are Catholicism (21.6%) and Hinduism (18.2%).

In Catholicism, men and women are seen as equal in the sight of God. Where they tend to differ however, is the fact that by natural law, women can give physical life by serving as mothers, whereas men can give supernatural life to the faithful by serving as priests. Catholicism has been viewed as highly patriarchal. Only men occupy the upper echelons of this faith, thereby creating a view that women are destined to be subservient. This submissive role requires of the woman that she tends to her family, usually at the expense and detriment of her own career. As such, having a more prominent role in society would be more time consuming, affecting the fundamental role the woman does within this belief.

Hinduism is the major religion among persons of Indian descent within Trinidadian society and dictates culture and the general view of women. An analysis of Hinduism would reveal that traditionally, women are viewed as hierarchically inferior to men. The woman is governed by her father, then by her husband or by her sons as a widow, and is prohibited from participating in various rituals. This would in effect create anxiety between their prominence in society and the religious roles which they have subscribed to.
In recent times, due to the education of more women, and the growing concern and advocacy of issues affecting women, the patriarchal dominance has been somewhat etched away at, bringing some equity and parity to the roles of men and women in society. No longer are women viewed as inferior beings. Women are now deferring marital relationships, child bearing and rearing in an effort to pursue higher education and further advance their careers. With the introduction of the GATE program (Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses) in Trinidad, more and more women are able to access tertiary education. The recent census further revealed that more women obtained a university level education than men.

   Patriarchy has long been a view through which most persons have used to analyse the world around them, and has become accepted as the status quo. However, the drive to reduce inequality has led to drastic changes in societies world wide and has shifted perspectives, making it easier to accept women in positions of power. A prime example would be the election of the first female Prime Minister in Trinidad and Tobago in 2010. Women holding prominent positions in society would have had some effect on their religion, but due to a reduction in inequality, it has become more acceptable for women to hold positions of power. The stringent rules which governed these prominent religions have been somewhat relaxed through the advocacy of equality for women.