Is Pastor Mammy Dora Dumbuya a victim of ‘sexism’ in the Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone?
As a human rights lawyer, I have a sacred responsibility to agitate against human rights violations, abuses and stereotypes that are ongoing in society and in every facet of human endeavor be it in government circles, the private sector, parastatals or even the Christian church community, the esteemed constituency to which I belong. This article therefore seeks to address gender stereotyping in the church community of Sierra Leone. Let me therefore begin by saying that I remain indifferent to whatever sentiments any church denomination, entity or conglomerate may wish to express against me personally over this article. One thing I know for sure and which cannot be controverted is the truth, and like the Bible rightly puts it, “We can only be set free when we know the truth”. (Photo: Rashid Dumbuya, author)
In Sierra Leone, as is rightly the case in many other African countries, women face a lot of discrimination and marginalization as a result of stereotypes that loom large from “regimes of truth” such as religion, culture, law and ethnicity. In this article, I have attempted to expose some of the stereotypes propagated by these ‘ regimes of truth’ and assess the extent to which such stereotypes have inhibited women’s participation in social life and further reinforce gender based discrimination in the Sierra Leonean society.
Since the inception of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone (PFSL), I have been religiously following up on the ordinations and conferment of Bishopric titles and positions to pastors within the Pentecostal Fellowship community. While I wholeheartedly welcome this phenomenal breakthrough in the Pentecostal denomination circle, it may also be proper and fitting to interrogate some of the excesses that are manifesting themselves in this emerging area of tension in the body of Christ in Sierra Leone.
The scramble for bishopric titles and positions in PFSL could be likened to the cold war situation that engulfed the USA and USSR in the 19th Century. Hardly was there any moment of open attack between the USA and USSR, nevertheless, through the various distinct blocks, camps, ideologies and divisions that emerged, it was overtly clear that there was deep underlying tensions and divisions between the two belligerent states.
No doubt, the ordination of a bishop is indeed a rosy affair from a superficial point of view, but trust me underneath that rosiness lays tension, fighting, bickering and animosity; and the case of Sierra Leone is no exception. Candidly speaking, no one will doubt or question the integrity and moral standing of the male ordained Bishops in PFSL. However, what I found trifling and hard to understand is why has there not been an ordained female Bishop since the inception of PFSL? Is it actually the case that no female pastor is qualified in Sierra Leone to be conferred with such a title? Or is it that Christian women in Sierra Leone are generally not interested? Or is it a case of gender stereotyping in PFSL?
While the rules and procedures for becoming a Bishop within the Orthodox Church community may be handy, I am still unaware of the rules and procedures within the Pentecostal domain that qualifies and entitles one to be ordained as Bishop in Sierra Leone. Suffice that to say, and whatever those rules and procedures may be, I don’t think any true Christian in Sierra Leone would question the eligibility of Mammy Dora Dumbuya of Jesus is Lord Ministries for Bishopric title in the Body of Christ in Sierra Leone. It is virtually undeniable from her track record and landmark inputs and contributions to the Christian and Muslim Community in Sierra Leone that she deserves to be elected and ordained as Bishop of the Body of Christ in Sierra Leone.
But assuming however, without conceding, that the eligibility criteria for Bishopric title has to do with church planting, church growth, church impact, contribution to nation building, integrity and uprightness and transformational leadership and humility; tell me reader, which one of these attributes is lacking in the life of Mammy Dora Dumbuya? You want to talk about church planting and expansion? She is probably in the lead in Sierra Leone. You want to talk about church numerical growth and impact? The proofs are undeniable. You want to talk about nation building and development? The hundreds of babies born every year through her faith clinic programme from complicated hospital cases is a testament. You want to talk about integrity and humility? There is none to match her in the body of Christ in Sierra Leone. What else do you want to tell me? Ok, her educational level? Well, if that is where you want to disqualify her, then trust me, no one may be qualified on that ground.
The only disqualifying factor in my view for her not being considered for a Bishopric office is mainly because of her sex. Her crime is ‘becoming a woman’! Yes, it may appear funny but that’s the truth! She is a victim of sexism in the PFSL. Don’t forget to note that Sierra Leone is still a male dominated patriarchal society. Stereotypes against women are common place in the society, and the church is no exception. Women are still perceived as ‘weaker vessels” and “emotional beings” that are unfit for such top leadership roles and positions. This discrimination is also unfortunately reinforced in the very constitution of the country which is supposed to ensure equality and non-discrimination for women. In section 27(4), the law explicitly states that ‘protection from discrimination does not apply in relation to laws regarding adoption, marriage, divorce, burial, devolution of property on death and other interests of personal law’. What a shock! See how bad our constitution is … and all these issues for which the law allows discrimination you will agree with me, directly affects women’s livelihood.
The continuous silence and unchallenged acceptance of these stereotypes affords legitimacy for sexual and gender based discriminations to thrive in society. That is all the more reason why someone should stand out and speak up! Discrimination against women must stop and that attitudinal change must first begin with the church, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone.
If truly PFSL is a body that esteems equality, non-discrimination and fairness, then let it manifest by the enlisting of Mammy Dora Dumbuya as Bishop elect in the not too distant future. At the very least, a conferment of an honorary Bishopric title on her can still suffice if it is strongly believed that she is not eligible on academic grounds. After all, there are a lot of professors and doctorate holders in Sierra Leone who have never written an article let alone talk of a book, but yet enjoy honorary doctoral titles and positions. It will therefore make no difference in her case! PFSL must act now!
By Rashid Dumbuya
*DISCLAIMER: Rashid Dumbuya is a practicing Barrister and Solicitor from the Republic of Sierra Leone and an international Human rights lawyer with a strong passion for justice, equality and human rights. He is neither a member of Jesus is Lord Ministries nor a relative of PST Mammy Dora Dumbuya even though they both share a common surname. The content of this article therefore does not reflect the views and position of Jesus is Lord Ministry Church. They remain the exclusive views and opinions of the author and its contents are subject to the sovereign will of the Almighty, Jehovah.
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