Ndungane urges teaching of respect

September 28, 2006 - (iafrica.com) Young men must be taught to respect young women while they have to learn that they had the right to be treated with respect, Anglican Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane said on Thursday.

"The patriarchy within the church has conspired with the patriarchy within our societies and culture with the end result that women are treated as second class or inferior," Ndungane told the Anglican Women's Fellowship 40th Anniversary celebration in Port Elizabeth.

Ndungane quoted the South African Police Service annual crime statistics report for the 2005/2006 financial year which was published on Wednesday.

"The statistics for rape and violence against women and girls are terrible and there is a widespread physical, mental and emotional abuse of women by men. "The church must not lag behind society in recognising, asserting and affirming the dignity of women and their equal place in society."

He asserted that the material used in Sunday schools and confirmation classes, as well as the way it was taught needed to be re-examined. Clergy also needed to be better trained to support both men and women.

From: http://iafrica.com/news/sa/221968.htm