There is a need for men in the society to move away from the man-made culture of being patriarchal and superior to women.

This was the message of the Acting Program Manager for Mission and Research Reverend Rocky Tigarea at the Pacific Theological College in Suva yesterday at the prayer service of the three-day workshop organised by the Ministry for Women.

The Minister for Women acknowledged the message that touched the 30 women from the rural and maritime areas of Fiji.

Reverend Tigarea highlighted the message of Jesus as the good Shephard when he said in the Bible, “I came to give life and life in fullness”, meaning it was inclusive of everyone to have a life.

“But Jesus was dealing with the patriarchal world where men dominated and where the Jewish culture was also a patriarchal culture where men dominated,” he said.

“So Jesus was trying to bring what the Father created in the beginning. That is men and women as equal.

“But due to systems and structures in place, it has become a patriarchal system and structures that men dominate.”

He said for many organisations men held prominence, but there was a need to redefine the book of Genesis in the Bible on God’s creation of men and women as equal, not women as subordinates and men as superior.

“Our system deprives women from that fullness of life and are men superior? We need to redefine women as equals to enjoy life and prosperity,” Reverend Tigarea said.

“Our culture makes men superior, but the scripture shows otherwise. Culture is man-made. We make it and change it along the way.

“Men, if we are Christians, we need to be reminded of Jesus words.”

He said changing this culture could reduce gender-based issues and violence against women and children.

Minister Vuniwaqa said the message shared showed biblical value and how men have misinterpreted this. Edited by Epineri Vula

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