Gender
Beyond the cross: The role of women in Easter story
Easter is here again and Christians all over the world are observing the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament.
It also marks the end of the Lent season and is also a time of joy and celebration for many Christians worldwide.
It is therefore not surprising to see Christians organise conventions, crusades and picnics to commemorate the special occasion.
On Good Friday which is expected to be commemorated tomorrow, a section of Christians would wear black to signify the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Predictably, it would be all white on Sunday which is the resurrection to signify victory over death.
In this article, The Spectator would look at the role women played in the entire story about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
During the ministry of Jesus Christ, women such as Mary Magdalene, Mary, Martha, Joanna and Sussana played significant roles. They were devoted followers, witnesses, and provided financial support to Him, during his ministry.
At the cross, several women were present during Jesus’ crucifixion, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Matthew 27:56 mentions that “many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him.” Luke 23:27-31 and Mark 15:40-41 also refer to ‘many other women’ being present.
Women played significant roles in the events surrounding Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
In ancient Jewish culture, women’s testimony was often viewed with skepticism or dismissed altogether. A Jewish historian Josephus noted that women’s testimony was not admissible due to perceived flaws in their character.
This societal bias is evident in the Gospel accounts, where women’s roles as witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus were crucial, yet potentially problematic given the cultural context.
The resurrection account is built on the testimony of women and it best explains the central role of women in the Easter story.
In each of the four gospels of the Bible, (Matthew, Mark, Luke and, John), the women- Mary, Mary Magdalene, were the first to see the risen Jesus. It is their testimony that sends Peter and John to the empty tomb.
The role of women in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ cannot be downplayed, bringing to light how women can be agents of change and transformation in the face of adversity.
Again, the role of these women in the events surrounding the suffering, death and resurrection is a reminder of the contributions that women can make to the life of the church and recognise the important roles women play in various aspects of life including politics, education and business.
The role of women
In Mark 14: 1-9, it was a woman who anointed the head of Jesus in preparation for his burial. In Matthew 27: 19, a woman urged her husband (Pontius Pilate) to stand against the power of the mob and spare an innocent man’s life.
Again, women were the ones that stood at the foot of the cross as Jesus breathed his last in Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-6 and Luke 23:55-56 where women were the first to arrive at the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus.
Also they were the first to be entrusted with taking the good news of Christ’s resurrection to the disciples and were the first to witness the resurrection as captured in Matt 28: 18 -20.
Significance
According to Christianity.com, the role of these women speaks volumes of how much God loved, trusted and rewarded the women. It also speaks to the many ways God is willing, eager and able to use both men and women to advance his Kingdom.
In April 2023, a research paper on ‘The role of women in the events surrounding the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ,’ states that women can be agents of change in a society that oppresses and marginalises them.
It said the fact that women played a key role in the events surrounding the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus was an example of how they can effect change and transformation.
“The role of women in the events surrounding the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can have significant implications for national development.
One way in which this can be done is by recognisng and valuing the contributions that women make to society,” it said.
The paper said just as Jesus valued and respected women in his ministry, it is important for society to recognise the important role that women play in all areas of life, including politics, business, and education, adding that this can be achieved through policies that promote gender equality, equal opportunities, and the protection of women’s rights.
Just as the women in the Gospels were leaders and co-workers in the early Christian community, women today have the potential to be leaders in their communities, contributing to the growth and development of their nations.
Providing education and training opportunities for women can help them develop their skills and abilities, and empower them to take on leadership roles in society.
It added that the role of women in the events surrounding the Easter story provides important lessons that can be applied to national development by recognising and valuing the contributions of women, promoting their education and empowerment, and encouraging their participation in all areas of life.
Society can work towards promoting gender equality and uplifting women in all areas of society. This is a powerful reminder that God can use even the most marginalised and overlooked members of society to bring about his purposes.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Gender
Ngleshie Alata Queen mother pledges to champion girl-child education
The newly enstooled Paramount Queenmother of Ngleshie Alata, James Town in Accra, Naa Affipong IV, has pledged to make girl-child education the cornerstone of her reign, emphasising its critical role in transforming communities and empowering future generations.
Speaking after her recent enstoolment, Naa Affipong IV, known in private life as Mrs Alberta Addo, called on parents and guardians to prioritise the education of their daughters, stressing that educating a girl has a far-reaching impact beyond the individual.
“I pledge to dedicate my reign to champion girl-child education, which is a crucial tool for youth empowerment and community development,” she declared.
She pointed out that empowering girls through both academic and vocational training would not only reduce social issues such as teenage pregnancy but also prepare them to become responsible and influential leaders in society.
Naa Affipong IV highlighted the urgent need to provide young girls with equal opportunities and create environments that support their growth and confidence.
She urged parents to be intentional about their daughters’ futures, saying “an educated girl has the power to lift her entire family out of poverty and transform her community. We must not fail them.”
The Queen mother also appealed to chiefs, elders, and community leaders to join forces in promoting initiatives aimed at empowering the youth, particularly young girls, through education, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.
While advocating girl-child education, Naa Affipong IV stressed the importance of peace, unity, and moral values within the community, especially among the youth.
The Queenmother also emphasised the importance of collaboration between traditional authorities and state institutions to address broader community challenges such as unemployment, infrastructure deficits, and social vices.
Her enstoolment ceremony was marked by vibrant cultural displays and attended by chiefs, queen mothers, elders, and residents of the Ngleshie Alata community. As part of the rites, she swore an oath of allegiance to the elders of Adjumako Durampong, promising to serve her people with dedication
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Gender
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang visits five families of victims of helicopter tragedy
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on Tuesday led a government delegation to pay a courtesy visit on the families of the five civilian victims of the August 6 helicopter tragedy.
The visit, which was on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, who is currently on a working visit to Japan, was to comfort the widows and children of the deceased persons, and to find out how they were doing.
The Vice President’s delegation visited the families of Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr Samuel Aboagye, Deputy Director-General, National Disaster management Organisation (NADMO).
The rest were the families of Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, Deputy National Security Coordinator in-charge of Human Security; Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Defence Minister and Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology.
Members of the Vice President’s delegation included Mr Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Presidency; Dr Valarie Sawyerr, a Senior Presidential Advisor for Governmental Affairs; Mr Alex Segbefia, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Vice President and Mr Seth Terkper, Economic Advisor to the President.
The rest are Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff in-charge of Finance and Administration; Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC); Hajia Shamima Muslim, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson; Nana Yaa Jantuah, a Presidential Staffer and Mr Rex Omar, Presidential Staffer.
The Limuna Family expressed gratitude to the Government for the visit, stating that the visit would go a long way to strengthen and comfort them.
Hajia Shamima Muslim, a Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, speaking to the media at the end of the visit, said President Mahama had directed that the delegation should visit each family of the deceased persons to find out how they were doing, especially the spouses and the children.
She noted that because the President was out of the jurisdiction, the Acting President, Vice President Professor Opoku-Agyemang, led the delegation to pay visitations to each one of the families of the victims of the tragedy.
She said basically, the visit was also to communicate the President’s commitment to support the families through this very difficult period and to reassure them of the pledge that he had made, especially for the families with young children, who were still in school, with the announcement of the Children’s Support Fund.
Hajia Shamima Muslim announced that a lot of donations were already coming through.
She said those who might want to also visit the Government Communication portals on how they could also donate to the Children’s Support Fund for the various victims or the families of the nation’s fallen heroes could do so.
That, she said, was also to help the Government ensure that whatever their fathers would have done for them, the Government would step in and do the same.
Touching on the adult children of the victims, Hajia Shamima Muslim said conversations were around on how to support their own aspirations; stating that it was the same commitment to them.
“So today we just came to reassure the families that the President is with them and will stand with them throughout this very difficult period,” she said.-GNA
