Social and Christian Activism - Family and Health in Law and Politics

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Roman Loimeier, since 7/2018
• Subject Area: Social and Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology ; African, American and Oceania Studies
• Term: from 2015 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 263806017

The project examines (religious) activism by Christian organizations from an ethnographic point of view as a new form of civic engagement in southern Africa. In its present-day manifestations, activism arises in the context of non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, and emerging transnational publics. In important ways it forges a reconfiguration of the political domain that finds expression in new ways of framing, articulating and practicing politics as well as new registers and institutional forms of politicking. The project starts from the observation that this specific form of activism is characterized by a notable convergence of 'religion' and 'politics', which makes it necessary to re-conceptualise 'power', 'influence' and 'politicking' as regards newly emerging forms of agency in postcolonial Africa. In three case studies in two countries in southern Africa (Botswana; South Africa) the project group explores from a comparative perspective and on the basis of ethnographic methods, how Christian organizations in these countries are engaging in new forms of politicking in order to promote their visions of life and society. Contributing to recent discussions in the fields of the anthropology of religion, political anthropology, the anthropology of health, sexuality and violence as well as anthropological research on gender relations, the project aims at highlighting the emergence of (religious) activism. It will conceptualize and explore its modes, registers and attention-seeking strategies of politicking as well as the wider societal debates connected to the language of persuasiveness by (religious) activists as regards the controversial and pressing issues of sexual and reproductive rights, more particularly homosexuality, sexual violence against women, and termination of pregnancy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Netherlands
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Rijk van Dijk
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Dr. Astrid Bochow, until 7/2018