Marufu, HappinosHappinosMarufuMatanga, Sarah YeukaiSarah YeukaiMatanga2025-02-132025-02-132025978-3-98989-042-8https://fis.uni-bamberg.de/handle/uniba/106037This paper blends archaeological evidence, archival materials and literary sources to make an argument that the socio-cultural fabric of the Zimbabwean society has been constantly changing in line and in response to the prevailing and dominant ideological thinking of the time. Archaeological evidence reveals how, over the years, women and children have always played a pivotal role in the subsistence economy of Stone Age societies, as they were responsible for food gathering activities as well as the overall welfare of the family (Marufu, 2012; 2017). Men engaged in higher risk, hunting activities which, nonetheless, contributed less to the daily dietary needs of a family. This social setting changed during the Iron Age period where men acquired more economic opportunities than women and, resultantly, caused them to have dominance over women. This marked the genesis of numerous inequity challenges bedevilling the Zimbabwean society today and that scholars and artists in general are grappling with which Chitando, (2003; 2007) advocates for their disbandment in order to create inclusive and sustainable societies. From a creative writing perspective, early literary works have shown how heavy-handed and exclusionary the patriarchal system was on women. They also highlight how little changes were brought in by colonialism, together with the associated dynamics brought by the advent of Christianity. However, there now appears to be a paradigm shift in contemporary literary works, with scholars advocating more for women empowerment. Through an analysis of selected literary works that explore how religion has been used to deal with challenges that women face as a result of patriarchal systems in Zimbabwean societies, this chapter traces the development, over successive epochs, of the recognition of women. Reflecting on Ezra Chitando’s contributions to women emancipation, our analysis enables the identification of what needs to be done for societal transformation.engEzra Chitandogender roles and relationspatriarchyreligionwomen empowermentStone AgeIron Age300bookpart