The goal of the SVRI Faith & GBV Community of Practice (CoP) is to help build an international development community that understands the role of faith and faith actors in gender based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and to help strengthen the capacity of faith actors to commit to GBV prevention and response.
Researchers, academics, practitioners, faith actors, activists, policymakers and private sector actors are encouraged to join the CoP.
The CoP has three main Working Groups, any of which CoP members may choose to join. Each Working Group has a different focus:
Working Group 1: Evidence Building
Working Group 2: Faith and Violence Against Children
Working Group 3: Faith & GBV Communication and Advocacy with Policymakers
Webinars of Year 2 – Faith & GBV CoP
Why Does Practice-Based Knowledge Matter to Faith Responses to VAWG?
The SVRI Faith & GBV CoP hosted the first session in the PBK, Faith & VAWG Series. This interactive discussion, held on 15 October (15:00–16:00 SAST), explored why practice-based knowledge was essential to faith-rooted responses to violence against women and girls.
SVRI Faith and GBV CoP Networking Event
On 14 October 2025, from 16:00 to 17:00 SAST, the SVRI Faith & GBV CoP hosted a Networking Event. This virtual gathering provided a space for members to connect, share insights, and explore opportunities for collaboration. Presenters introduced their organisations and work, followed by an open discussion with all participants.
Outputs of Year 1 – Faith & GBV CoP
Working Group 1: Evidence Building
Working Group 1 is focused on advancing research and policy at the intersection of gender, religion, and spirituality, with a particular emphasis on decolonial approaches and the experiences of young people in faith communities. The group brings together members from Africa and Latin America to develop evidence-based practices, facilitate South-South knowledge exchange, and support policy-oriented research aimed at addressing gender-based violence (GBV) within religious contexts. Key activities include organizing webinars on topics such as masculinities, SOGIESC, and traditional practices, as well as conducting focus groups with faith leaders, activists, and researchers.
The outputs of the WG1 are a research report for evidence-building and a policy brief that gathers evidence and experiences from Africa and Latin America to take a deeper look at how South-South dialogue can inform more grounded and effective approaches to GBV prevention.
Working Group 2: Faith & Violence Against Children
Working Group 2 (WG2) is focused on exploring the important practical roles of religious actors in ending violence against children (VAC). It brings together members from or working within the African continent to develop tangible, accessible resources for local faith leaders/actors, drawing on emerging research findings.
As a key task, the Working Group has collaboratively designed and piloted a ten-week blended learning online course that draws on members existing expertise and knowledge to create experiential, peer-based learning around the roles of faith in helping children thrive without violence. Click here to hear from two of our pilot course graduates and here to indicate interest in applying for the next virtual course intake.
Another output of the WG2 for Year 1 is the Learning Brief: Palm, S. (2025). Child Safety in Faith Communities: Moving from Words to Actions. It highlights the importance of moving beyond policies only to embody a culture of child safeguarding in all faith institutions. The brief includes links to four short videos that illustrate the importance of constructive dialogue with survivors, faith leaders, child-centred NGOs, and theological perspectives.
The Working Group Chair, Selina Palm, also wrote an opinion piece for the South African newspaper Mail & Guardian on how faith leaders can help end violence against children in a country where 80% of people adhere to a formal faith tradition and go to their faith leaders for support and advice.
Working Group 3: Faith & GBV Communication and Advocacy with Policymakers
Working Group 3 focuses on identifying barriers and opportunities in effectively communicating about GBV, specifically between faith actors and policymakers, creating practical tools and resources to promote meaningful conversations on the intersection of faith and GBV. These resources aim to foster a greater understanding of the “other side”, identify sources of legitimacy, and uncover common ground when speaking about these complex issues. The goal of this working group is to provide the tools needed by all stakeholders to continue the conversation constructively.
The outputs of the WG3 for Year 1 are specifically designed to help faith actors and policymakers engage in dialogues that can bridge gaps, foster trust, and ultimately lead to more effective GBV prevention and response. These are:
- Policy Brief: Khalaf-Elledge, N., & Marsso, S. (2025). Enhancing Communication Between Faith Actors and Policymakers on Gender-Based Violence in Africa. SVRI.
- Toolkit: Khalaf-Elledge, N., & Marsso, S. (2025). How to Talk About GBV and Religion: A Practical Toolkit for Faith Actors and Policymakers. SVRI.
- Infographic: GBV & Religion Dialogue Toolkit. SVRI.
Webinars of Year 1 – Faith & GBV CoP
Register to join the Faith & GBV CoP
Faith, faith actors, and faith communities play a crucial role in strengthening the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV), given their widespread presence, modes of interaction, and capacity for significant outreach at the grassroots level across the globe. Despite the deep historical intertwining of gender and religion, the development sector has only recently started recognising the importance of engaging faith-based entities in GBV prevention and response. However, many faith leaders and communities, including in Africa, harbour misunderstandings or distrust towards development efforts aimed at making life safer for women, adolescent girls and children. Additionally, in various settings, religious beliefs and practices can both promote gender equality and perpetuate violence.
SVRI has received funding to develop a Faith & GBV Community of Practice (CoP), with a focus on Africa. The objectives of the CoP are to contribute to:
- building an international development community (including researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, funders) that understands the role of faith, faith actors and faith communities in GBV prevention and response, and are able and willing to engage with faith and faith actors in addressing GBV.
- strengthening the capacity of faith leaders from different faiths to understand the drivers of GBV and enable their commitment to GBV prevention and response in collaboration with other multisectoral stakeholders
Each Working Group has its own objectives and strategies and will host separate virtual events and produce its own outputs. CoP members are invited to join one or more Working Groups. On the registration form linked above, you will be able to indicate whether you want to join a Working Group, and which one you would like to join.
Researchers, academics, practitioners, faith actors, activists, policymakers and private sector actors are encouraged to join the CoP.
We would be delighted if you would join the SVRI Faith & GBV CoP! If you have any questions, please email Elisabet le Roux, CoP Lead, at lisa@svri.org
