On the Eve of Women’s Month

On the eve of Women’s Month 2025

A few years ago, July 2022 to be exact, Ed Richardson, a very good friend called me and asked me this: “August is Women’s Month, please give me some ideas for The Herald’s weekly “Church and Community” column, what should we be focusing on?  To which I replied:   “I would write about Jesus and the wonderful relationship he had with women.”

Oh I walked straight into that one.    Ed responded by suggesting that I start writing the article – eight to nine hundred words to be emailed to him by such and such a date.

“No!” I replied:  “I can’t do that”

Needless to say Ed won.

I went home sat at my desk, cried…….then phoned Ed again!  He wasn’t having any of it.  So I started thinking, reading and writing.

Before I go any further, I am aware of the fact that we are all different, some of us follow our chosen path of how and who we worship, some of us do not believe in or worship and I ask that we always be sensitive and non-judgmental in our dealings with each other.

The following is my article:

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What the woman at the well teaches us about Jesus’ attitude to women

South Africa commemorates Women’s Month in August as a tribute to the 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest against the extension of the dreaded pass laws to women.

What a brave act of defiance, showing strength of character and resilience.

Many years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Helen Joseph who, along with Lillian Ngoyi played a pivotal role in spearheading and organising the march. It was both humbling and inspiring.

I must admit that, of late, I have been feeling saddened and somewhat depressed at the state of our country, in particular the war waged against women and girls. Every single day we experience dreadful cruelty.

To make matters worse I feel even more disillusioned when I read the government’s blurb on Women’s month, this year’s theme is “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Resilience.” Pffft! Heard, seen and read this all before and nothing changes.

Whilst pondering and thinking about the state of the world, climate change, war, Trump and Johnson, I realised that I desperately needed to change my focus to something positive.

I started reflecting on the relationship between women and Jesus. The place and role of women during the time of Jesus is well documented. Generally, women were regarded and treated as second class citizens.

American evangelical professor of biblical studies and theology at Liberty University James A Borland in his article entitled “How Jesus Viewed and Valued Women” writes that “Jesus’s regard for women was much different from that of his contemporaries, in fact his approach to women was considered ‘revolutionary’ for his era.

“Women have an intrinsic value equal to that of men. Women are created in the image of God, just as men are. Like men, they have self-awareness, personal freedom, a measure of self-determination, and personal responsibility for their actions”.

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well highlights how Jesus communicated and related to women. We do not know her name, only that she was ostracised. She had been married several times and the man she was living with was not her husband.

She was shocked that this man, a Jew, asked her, a Samaritan woman, to give him a drink of water. He saw her potential, her heartache and above all He saw her humanity, and in engaging with her in such a respectful manner changed the course of her life.

There are so many wonderful examples of Jesus’s relationship with women. Mary and Martha and the woman who touched his robe come to mind. Women also played a powerful role in that they provided the financial backbone to His Ministry.

He consulted with, showed enormous respect, cared for and was concerned for the plight of women in a world where they were largely disrespected.

In the violent events leading up to the crucifixion, the women who followed him did not run away. They did not betray or denounce him. They stayed with Him right to the very end.

They were present when His body was laid to rest, after the Sabbath the women went to the tomb, only to find that it was empty.

“An angel directed them to go and tell the other disciples. So the women left the tomb feeling afraid and at the same time filled with joy, suddenly Jesus was in their midst, they clasped His feet and worshipped Him.

“Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go the Galilee, there they will see me.” Matthew 28: 7-10.

Imagine a world, where women and girls are treated as equal to men, our value, worthiness and personal freedom respected.

I think what I am trying to say is this: Stop hurting us, listen to and hear us, see our humanity, take our advice.

I invite you to reflect on the above, think about it.

We women are not the enemy, recognise and celebrate our strengths, skills and talents.

We are not unclean or inferior, neither do we need to be suppressed or controlled.

I urge and encourage, society at large, politicians and the members of the Christian community to treat and see women exactly how Jesus treated us.

As Borland puts it: “Women have an intrinsic value equal to that of men. Women are created in the image of God, just as men are. Like men, they have self-awareness, personal freedom, a measure of self-determination, and personal responsibility for their actions”.

Try this you might just save the world.

Gail Charalambous
A person who cares about other people

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I am trying so desperately hard to be positive and if granted one wish

It would be this.

Can we at least try and save the world?