Dr Leonora Alberts Vilakazi
The interfaith sector, in particular the Faith Action Collective to End GBV and We Will Speak Out SA (WWSOSA), has a mandatory responsibility to be at the forefront of the National Dialogue, particularly the discussions addressing pervasive societal wounds such as gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). This is a crucial role that other sectors are not as well-equipped to fulfil. While the interfaith community has sometimes fallen short of its calling in the past, a renewed commitment to its core values and principles through the Collective’s Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy, enables us to make a transformative difference in the nation.
Crucial Bridge to Justice and Healing: The Mandate of the Faith Sector
The interfaith sector is uniquely positioned to facilitate deep healing and reconciliation in a nation. Unlike political or governmental bodies, it can create a safe and confidential space for people to engage in restorative conversations. This includes survivors, community leaders, and even perpetrators. The focus shifts from punitive measures to restorative justice, aiming to repair harm, foster accountability, and rebuild relationships.
This approach is vital for addressing the widespread trauma caused by GBVF, which affects not only individuals but entire families and communities. The interfaith sector’s focus on healing extends to the mental health of families, recognising the ripple effect of violence and providing a framework for recovery.
Addressing Past Failures and Embracing the Mandate
The faith sector has, at times, been influenced by broader societal trends and archaic or inappropriate use of sacred texts, and has failed to live up to its mandate. This self-reflection is a critical part of the process. Through collaboration and often challenging but fruitful conversations that resulted in a joint Interfaith Statement and a joint Interfaith GBV Prevention and Mitigation Strategy, the Faith Action Collective to End GBV created spaces for some leaders, scholars, practitioners and survivors to work together to confront these past shortcomings and the damage they have caused both within our own communities and in wider society. This internal reckoning was the first step toward reclaiming our true purpose.
Transformative Power of the Collective and WWSOSA
The Faith Action Collective and WWSOSA are powerful examples of the positive initiatives that already exist within the interfaith movement. They demonstrate the potential for a truly inclusive and representative dialogue that ensures no voice is unheard, particularly those from marginalised and vulnerable communities. Through collaboration, the interfaith sector can leverage its collective influence to:
- Bridge the gap between formal political processes and the lived experiences of ordinary citizens.
- Centre GBVF and other deeply painful issues within the National Dialogue.
- Transform a political process into a social one, laying a foundation built on empathy, justice, and reconciliation in practice, rather than mere policy.
In essence, the interfaith sector has an ethical and practical obligation to act as a crucial bridge to justice and healing. By embracing this mandatory responsibility, we are able to facilitate a meaningful and effective voice in the National Dialogue, one that truly addresses the nation’s deepest wounds and paves the way for a more just and compassionate future.