Category: Mental Health and GBV
Subcategory: Reports and Studies
Abstract
This study explores how religion influences experiences of GBV among women in contexts of forced migration (refugees, migrants). Drawing on interviews with survivors, the authors find that religion and faith can serve as both a protective resource (offering emotional comfort, community support, meaning, resilience) and a risk factor (where religious norms or leaders encourage silence, discourage reporting, or normalize gendered subordination). Their analysis highlights the dual nature of religious resources: they are not automatically “good” or “bad,” but depend on interpretation, power, and context.
For readers, the key takeaways are: program designers should assess religious risk/protective factors in each setting; collaborate with progressive faith actors while guarding against harmful messages; and allow survivors agency in how (or whether) they integrate spirituality into healing. The article underscores that faith is deeply woven into how many survivors understand their suffering and their path to recovery.