Female faith leaders should be given a greater role in efforts to prevent gender-based violence (GBV), support survivors and influence policies aimed at advancing gender equality.
This call was made during a high-level level meeting convened by the International Gender Champions (IGC) Nairobi Hub in partnership with World Vision East Africa Regional Office and Plan International in Nairobi. The meering brought together religious leaders, development partners and civil society representatives ahead of Pan-African Women’s Day on July 31.
Speakers said women faith leaders are often among the first people survivors of violence turn to for guidance and support, yet they remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making spaces where policies on gender equality and violence prevention are shaped.
“Ending gender-based violence requires all of us – governments, faith communities, civil society, development partners, the private sector, women, girls, boys and men to speak up and challenge harmful norms. Each of us has a vital role to play,” said Lilian Dodzo, Regional Leader and Vice President of World Vision International’s East Africa Region.
The meeting comes as gender-based violence remains widespread globally. According to the World Health Organization, nearly one in three women, an estimated 840 million women and girls, have experienced physical or sexual violence during their lifetime.
In sub-Saharan Africa, around 34% of girls are affected by child marriage, while more than 144 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM), participants said.
Delegates said female faith leaders are uniquely placed to influence attitudes within families and communities through their roles as pastors, counsellors, teachers and mentors, and called for them to be recognized as strategic partners in preventing violence against women and girls.
According to the Africa Gender Index 2023, the continent has achieved just over half of the progress needed to reach gender equality, while women’s economic parity fell from 61% in 2019 to 58.2% in 2023.
Rev. Dr. Linda Ochola, Senior Coordinator for Church Partnerships at International Justice Mission (IJM) Kenya, said women needed a stronger voice in decisions affecting their communities and called for gender-based violence cases to be treated as criminal matters rather than being resolved through informal mediation.
“We need to do more to ensure women have a stronger voice in shaping the decisions that affect their lives and communities,” she said.
Participants also urged faith institutions to establish confidential systems for reporting abuse and accessing support, saying places of worship should become safer spaces for survivors.
Dr. Sheikh Hasan Kenyomari, Chairman of Muslim Persons of Africa, called for greater representation of women in religious leadership, including appointments to mosque committees and as Kadis, saying women should have a meaningful role in decisions affecting them.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of engaging Africa’s young population, with participants saying female faith leaders could help shape attitudes toward equality, healthy relationships and non-violence.
“The values young people develop today will shape the Africa we live in tomorrow,” said Hajir Maalim, Regional Director for the Middle East, Eastern and Southern Africa at Plan International.
World Vision said it has worked with faith leaders across East Africa through programmes such as Channels of Hope and Becoming One to promote positive masculinity, strengthen families, support survivors and challenge harmful social norms.
The dialogue took place as African governments intensify efforts to combat violence against women and girls through the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG).
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