Empowering Change Through Faith – The Launch of the Joint Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy 2024/2030

On a momentous day for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention in South Africa, Mr. Tom Fikiri of the Power of Women and Children NPC attended the launch of the Joint Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy 2024/2030 at the Baha'i National Centre in Northriding, Johannesburg. This significant event marks a crucial step forward in the fight against GBV, as faith-based organisations come together to challenge harmful cultural and religious norms contributing to violence against women and children.

Joseph Kanyange Kamau October 8, 2024 3 min read

Empowering Change Through Faith – The Launch of the Joint Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy

On a momentous day for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention in South Africa, Mr. Tom Fikiri of the Power of Women and Children NPC attended the launch of the Joint Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy 2024/2030 at the Baha’i National Centre in Northriding, Johannesburg. This significant event marks a crucial step forward in the fight against GBV, as faith-based organisations come together to challenge harmful cultural and religious norms contributing to violence against women and children.

Led by Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letseke, this initiative unites diverse faith leaders and communities to promote safe, inclusive environments where GBV is not tolerated. The strategy provides faith leaders with tools to address the root causes of GBV and collaborate with government bodies to support survivors and foster healing within communities.

Faith-Based Leadership for Change

Faith communities have long held significant influence in shaping societal values and norms. With this influence comes the responsibility to drive positive change, particularly in addressing critical social issues such as GBV. The Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy, a collaborative effort between the Faith Action to End GBV Collective and We Will Speak Out South Africa (WWSOSA), aims to equip faith leaders with resources to lead their communities in the fight against GBV.

As part of the strategy, faith leaders will undergo training to challenge harmful social, cultural, and religious norms that perpetuate violence. By doing so, they will help create environments where individuals, regardless of gender or background, can live free from fear and violence. This initiative highlights the crucial role faith leaders play in driving transformation and fostering respect, dignity, and peace in their communities.

Addressing the GBV Crisis in South Africa

South Africa faces one of the highest rates of GBV in the world. Alarmingly, a woman is killed every three hours, while many others suffer from physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened this crisis, with a sharp rise in domestic violence cases during lockdowns. With these staggering figures, the need for comprehensive and collaborative responses is more urgent than ever.

The Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy recognizes the power of faith-based communities in shaping change. By mobilizing faith leaders, the strategy aims to transform attitudes towards GBV, offering faith communities a pathway to actively combat violence, uplift survivors, and promote healing.

A Collective Commitment to Ending GBV

The launch of this interfaith strategy represents a united stand against GBV. It is a collective commitment from faith-based organisations and government bodies to create safe spaces and promote healing for survivors. The strategy envisions an inclusive society where violence is eradicated, and individuals can thrive without fear of harm.

Through training programmes, community outreach, and support networks, the strategy will empower faith leaders to address GBV effectively. It offers a hopeful path towards change, where faith, government, and civil society work hand-in-hand to dismantle the structures that perpetuate violence.

As Mr. Tom Fikiri and many other dedicated leaders continue to champion the cause of women and children, the launch of the Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy stands as a beacon of hope. It is a reminder that change is possible when communities unite with a shared vision of respect, dignity, and peace.

The road ahead may be challenging, but with this milestone, South Africa is taking a powerful step forward in combating gender-based violence, offering hope for a future where all individuals can live free from fear.

Interfaith Statement of Commitment

Gender-based violence is unacceptable, inexcusable, and intolerable in all its manifestations.

Yet, we confess that we have sometimes chosen not to see, or tolerated gender-based violence. We have been collaborators and co-conspirators against the very essence of our creation.
From our platform within local communities, people of faith potentially play a vital role in raising awareness, advocating for survivors’ rights and against impunity, holding perpetrators accountable, and challenging harmful gender norms and gender injustices – without fear or favour.

Yet, we confess that we have often been complicit by our silence, our inaction, our misuse of sacred texts and our rigid structures that silence or exclude diversity. Thus, we have undermined God’s image in all people.

Therefore, we commit to standing up, speaking out and taking decisive action, and to being accountable to survivors, to each other, and to God.