Female Child Soldiering, Gender Violence, and Feminist Theologies

This book examines the phenomenon of female child soldiering from various theological perspectives.  It is an interdisciplinary work that brings Christian feminist theologies into dialogue to analyze the complex ethical, geopolitical, social, and theological issues involved in the militarization of girls and women and gender-based violence. With contributions from a range of interdisciplinary and multicultural authors, this book offers reflections and perspectives that coalesce as a comprehensive overview of feminist theological insights into child soldiering.

“This courageous and interdisciplinary book disturbs and provokes the readers by putting the plight of female child soldiers at the center of theological, ethical, and pastoral inquires. The atrocities inflicted on girls because of war, violence, rape, poverty, and global racism are discussed with cultural sensitivity and astute moral insights. This book issues a clarion call for action, commitment, and solidarity. I highly recommend it.” (Kwok Pui-lan, author of Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology (2005))

“This unusual volume helps us understand the way that child soldiers who are girls and young women are exploited in war, on one hand, and resist and exercise agency through their soldiering, on the other. These well-written essays will leave the reader both sobered and surprised—and with much to ponder! I commend this book to anyone concerned about the role of children in violence and peace.” (Pamela D. Couture, Jane and Geoffrey Martin Chair in Church and Community, Emmanuel College of Victoria University in the University of Toronto)

“An excellent showcase of transnational feminist collaborative scholarship!  Through multilayered, multidisciplinary and multi-context-based analyses of female child soldering, the book educates readers both the complexity of the issue which requires transnational feminist interrogation and hidden militarization policies of the US, a critical blind spot in many North American feminist theologies. The book advances current feminist theories of power and resistance to an embodied ethical and moral engagement of solidarity.” (Boyung Lee, Professor of Practical Theology, Iliff School of Theology, USA)

“This collection of essays is a timely and urgent wakeup call.   It draws attention to a neglected moral outrage and scandal of our times: the militarization and even weaponization of children. The essays call all of us to identify and address root causes, such as hegemonic toxic sexualities. They are also a call to action for soul searching to discern and acknowledge how we may be complicit in our denial, hypocrisy and misplaced justification of the violence through our actions of omission of commission. They summon us to pull the enduring scandal of violence against women from the margins to the center of our ethical discernment and action. The book is a must read for all who care about children’s rights, the duty to protect those rights and the duty to ensure an environment  where children, both male and female can flourish with dignity.” (Teresia Hinga, Associate Professor of Religious Studies/African Christianity, Santa Clara University, and founding member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians)

“This book challenges the reader to not only listen to the horrors of what being a child soldier entails, but it also opens one’s eyes to the resistance and resilience inbuilt in each story. Furthermore, the authors challenge the reader to be part of astrong definitive voice that elevates these girls’/women’s resistance, healing and their peace-building approaches to take a stand in contributing to the process of unpacking moral, religious and political commitments which help to dismantle the ongoing recruitment and deployment of child soldiers.  For persons committed to ensuring that all live life in abundance with gender justice and peace without sexual, gender-based violence, this book is a must read.” (Fulata Lusungu Moyo, World Council of Churches)

Susan Willhauck is Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia.