FACTS AND EXPERIENCES REGARDING MATERNAL MORTALITY IN TANZANIA How Can the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) Contribute to Saving the Lives of Mothers? The Case Study Of the Chagga Tribe

Abstract

The main aim of this thesis is to explore facts and experiences regarding maternal mortality in Tanzania and to assess if the church can do anything in the reduction of maternal mortality. This has been done in the Chagga patriarchal area where the ELCT- Northern Diocese covers The collection of data was based mostly on questionnaires and interviews. People were interviewed orally using some questions to guide the interviews. An interview schedule was prepared with a list or set of questions or issues which were to be explored during the interviews. The theoretical framework consists of feminist theory and pastoral care concepts. The focus was on the factors that contributed to maternal mortality in Tanzania. Also the effects of maternal mortality to the society and to assess if the church can do anything to reduce maternal mortality.The study revealed that patriarchal system that prevailing in the Chagga society is one of the biggest factors that cause maternal mortality in the study area. This is because most of the other factors are linked to the patriarchal system which affects the women and especially pregnancy women. On the other hand the women hold the lives of others in the society. This is due to the fact that, women are the main producers of the daily family economy; they are also the care taker of the all members of the family including elders and children. Therefore, when a woman die, it means many others in the society are affected too, specifically children.Unfortunately, the study finds the church to side with the Chagga patriarchal society in oppressing, disvalue, dishonor, and undermine women. There is yet no contribution from the church regarding the reduction of the maternal mortality.The society where this study has been carried out seems to have a great believe that the church can heal its member spiritually and physically. From this idea, many people have been much disappointed to see the church side with patriarchal traditional social system that contributing to the highest number of maternal mortality in the respected society.The church has to speak for and act upon the liberation of all at the place where there is any kind on oppression, discrimination and torture. The church has to act on what it preaches. The church has to speak openly where the society goes against Gods will by hindering the freedom of others beyond the spiritual boundaries and meet the physical needs of the society with the aim of bringing new hope and new life, physical and spiritual too.