Christian and Muslim Women in Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom: a qualitative study of religion, gender and citizenship

This study focuses on Christian and Muslim women’s religious faith, identities and practice. A basic assumption is that the religious arena, in the form of churches, mosques, and other religious organisations, provides spaces where women and men act as citizens. The main objective of the research has been to identify and assess how women’s individual religious identities and practices may provide both resources and/or barriers to citizenship. Citizenship is here viewed in a broad sense: it refers not only to the status, rights and duties of individuals, but also to their participation, identity and belonging. Women often draw on their own sense of identity and belonging as a source of empowerment and participation. Religious identity and belonging can thus be a resource for citizenship practice. In our project, we have examined how Christian and Muslim women link their religious faith, identity and practice with active citizenship.