Faith-Based Organizations and Gender-Based Violence: Towards an Understanding of Workable Measures, Catherine K. Ganira, Angeline Savala, Loreen Maseno (2025)

Abstract

This article reviews existing literature to map how faith-based organisations (FBOs) can play positive, practical roles in preventing and responding to GBV. The authors identify four categories of intervention: support provision (e.g. counselling, shelters), theological reflection (revising harmful doctrines), advocacy (public voice against violence), and gender engagement (programmes with men and boys). They emphasise that FBOs are uniquely positioned in many communities to influence attitudes, trust relationships, and moral norms.

However, the authors also caution that FBOs must be vigilant about internal biases, patriarchal structures, and leadership blind spots. They recommend strengthening collaboration between FBOs and secular agencies (health, justice, mental health), capacity building, and accountability mechanisms. The article is valuable because it contextualises both the promise and the pitfalls of faith actors in GBV work.