Theoretical Framework
The neoliberal theory also known as the New Right (Haralambos et al.
2008) was advanced to accommodate the free market in the capitalist
economy which it recommends as the best basis for organizing a freer
society and ensuring greater participation of individuals both in the
economic and religious spheres. The theory as advanced by Haralambos et
al. (2008) posits that market forces encourage competition, which
stimulates innovation and efficiency hence, should be allowed free flow
for the development of all and sundry. The New Right i.e. neoliberalism
pioneers believed that the overbearing influence and intervention of the
state in an economy or any part of social institutions must be avoided
if individual rights are to be promoted. Advocates of this theoretical
perspective believe that development, freedom and majority participation
in societal affairs is anchored on the deregulation of the society. They
argue that free market systems offer economic and religious freedom that
lead to greater choices for each individual including women. Stambaugh
(2015) believes that one of the central ideological positions of
neoliberalism (which is the maximization of individual freedom) helps to
undermine patriarchal and sexist norms.
Cornwall et al (2008) summarized a conference discussion on
neoliberalism and women empowerment and pinpointed the complex
relationship between the two. They posited that the rhetoric of
empowerment creates potential for symbiosis.
Neoliberalism in its pristine form has destabilized an order
context of patriarchy and has stressed greater choices for both men and
women; indeed it is this ‘shared pursuit of choice’ that characterizes
one of the points of convergence between feminism and neoliberalism.(Cornwall, A. et al. 2008. Introduction: Reclaiming Feminism:
Gender and Neoliberalism. P.2)
The concept of formal or legal equality developed and advanced by
Saunders (1993) to buttress his expostulation on neoliberalism involves
all members of the society being subject to the same law or rules hence,
special rules should not be made for different genders and restrictions
should not be placed on the basis of gender. To Saunders (1990),
individuals are judged according to “what” they do and not according
to “who” they are. To this end, the regulation of religion by the
state (which is often arranged in a patriarchal manner and favored men)
promoted the dominance of men in all spheres, religion inclusive. The
entrance of women into the political and economic decision making stages
through neoliberal activism has led to the deregulation of the church to
accommodate women as well. Neoliberal theory most often dwells on the
roles and dictates of state (best put otherwise) which makes its
applicability in the analysis of the concept of women empowerment
vis-à-vis religion timely and worthwhile.
The somewhat marginalization of women through the dictates of religion
over the years has been attributed to the patriarchal nature of some
societies where it exists while the recent gains of religion in the
empowerment of women as showcased all over the world (e.g. Saudi Arabia
and Nigeria etc.) is owed to the realization of the states in allowing
individual forces and goals to be furthered which in turn furthers the
interest of the society as a whole. As a theory, neoliberalism is
associated with neoclassical economic policies which are aimed at
decreasing government control (of religion and other spheres) and
allowing individuals of all genders to thrive (Kendall, 2003). With its
global dynamism, this is the backdrop of most recent women empowerment
through religion albeit other spheres/institutions. Such policies are
predicated on the presupposition that private property laws free
individual entrepreneurship (women and men inclusive) and a consequent
improvement of their well being.
Despite the evidence that religion continues to consolidate gender
inequality in post industrial societies, Woodhead (2013) posited that
intensifying secularization and de-religionization (as pioneered by
neoliberalism) is positively correlated with growing gender equality.
Although neoliberal theory is mostly economically applicable owing to
its economic base, it has been found worthy to accommodate and further
the course of equal rights for equal society for both genders hence its
employment and applicability to the topic under study.