Gender equality is discussed across several platforms, but the platform involving the most gender discrimination — religion — is often a forgotten one.
Most religions still cling to sexist and outdated rituals that differentiate women and leave them inferior. However, several religions have taken highly criticized but pivotal steps in removing gender barriers in their pews.
On March 28, Pope Francis washed the feet of a dozen inmates in a Holy Thursday ritual. The ritual is a reenactment of Jesus’ washing the feet of the 12 apostles, who happened to all be male.
However, Pope Francis chose to wash the feet of two women during the ritual.
Many traditional Catholics were outraged by Pope Francis’ decision arguing it was against Catholic doctrine to do so.
The pope’s response was that, “excluding the girls would have been inopportune in light of the simple aim of communicating a message of love to all, in a group that certainly didn’t include experts on liturgical rules.” Yes, progress — even if symbolic.
The pope and the Roman Catholic Church are not alone.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, too, made a symbolic effort to break down gender discrimination by allowing a woman to give the closing prayer during its General Conference last weekend.
A feminist group launched the Let Women Pray campaign in January asking that women give opening and closing prayers at the conference for the first time in 183 years. The LDS church obliged, as Jean A. Stevens spoke to millions in the final prayer.
Although these efforts are symbolic, and the idea of both men and women holding equal offices in church hierarchy is far off — Pope Francis and the LDS church have taken appropriate first steps.
These efforts are an outstanding start to striking down inequalities that are highly outdated and discriminatory. Religious feminists everywhere should be taking note.