This paper advances an intersectional feminist theological analysis of men’s ritual discourse in Malagasy communal life, examining patriarchy, postcolonial legacies, and culturally entrenched structures of silencing, including self-censorship and a culture of silence. Women’s absence in public speech is interpreted not as tradition, but as the outcome of interlocking systems that regulate authority, leadership, and communal decision-making, constraining spiritual, social, and political agency.
Drawing on intersectional feminist theory, the study situates male-dominated ritual speech in dialogue with the lived experiences of Malagasy women. Methodologically, it employs a qualitative and decolonizing approach, centering women’s voices as legitimate sites of knowledge and critical reflection.
By highlighting collective interpretation, leadership formation, and mutuality, the paper explores pathways through which women reclaim voice, agency, and authority, contributing to gender-just communal and spiritual futures, where women participate fully as agents of change and co-creators of shared decision-making.