Faith leaders join fight against GBV

INSIDE Gombani Conference Hall, religious and community leaders gathered around a common goal: helping create a South Pemba where women and children can live free from violence.

A total of 45 leaders, including 27 men and 18 women from Chake Chake and Mkoani districts, met to validate a Regional Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (Regional NPA-VAWC), designed to address challenges specific to the region.

The meeting provided an opportunity to identify practical ways in which local leaders can help prevent gender-based violence (GBV), protect those at risk and improve support for survivors.

The regional plan adapts Zanzibar’s National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children to South Pemba’s social, cultural and economic context.

It brings together government institutions, the judiciary, civil society organisations, Shehia leaders, paralegals, faith leaders and development partners.

Turning commitments into action Participants discussed measures to strengthen prevention and protection, improve referrals for survivors, mobilise local resources and ensure that women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups receive appropriate support.

Faith leaders identified several actions they could take within their communities, including advocating for stronger local bylaws, identifying areas where genderbased violence is prevalent, conducting public awareness campaigns and improving referral pathways for survivors.

They also discussed promoting women’s economic empowerment through savings and loan groups as part of wider efforts to strengthen women’s independence and wellbeing.

For Amina Alawi, a faith leader from Chake Chake, a regional approach is important because communities face different challenges.

“GBV incidents vary from one region to another in Zanzibar. Hence, by having a contextualized strategy, faith leaders will get an opportunity to concentrate on issues specific to their regions,” she said.

Sheikh Ali Mohamed said the approach could also help mobilise resources to address the most pressing challenges in individual communities.

“The regional GBV strategy is an innovative approach as it will help mobilize regional-specific resources that can help curb the problem in our communities,” he said.

Faith leaders at the heart of prevention Faith leaders have an important role in shaping attitudes and influencing behaviour because of the trust they enjoy within their communities.

Through sermons, family engagement, community outreach and dialogue, they can help challenge beliefs and practices that contribute to violence against women and children, child marriage and discrimination.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has supported faith leaders in Zanzibar to establish GBV Action Groups and strengthen their capacity to promote prevention, protection and referrals for survivors.

The initiative seeks to make violence prevention a shared responsibility involving families, communities, religious leaders, government institutions and service providers.

UNFPA Representative in Tanzania, Mr Mark Schreiner said lasting change required communities to take an active role in preventing violence and protecting women and girls.

“Ending gender-based violence requires more than responding when violence occurs. It requires communities to prevent violence, challenge harmful norms, protect those at risk and ensure that every survivor can access quality, survivor-centred services,” he said.

He said the leadership of faith and community leaders in South Pemba was particularly important because lasting change depended on communities taking ownership of solutions.

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Mr Schreiner also expressed gratitude to the Government of Ireland for its continued partnership in strengthening community action and advancing the rights and protection of women and girls, including those with disabilities.

Partnerships to strengthen protection The South Pemba initiative received support from the Embassy of Ireland, bringing local stakeholders together to strengthen community-based efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and harmful practices.

The regional plan provides a framework for cooperation among government institutions, faith and community leaders and other stakeholders.

Its effectiveness will depend on sustained collaboration, adequate resources and the implementation of the proposed actions.

For women and children in South Pemba, the next step is to translate the commitments made during the validation meeting into practical action within their communities.

Religious and community leaders are expected to play a role in raising awareness, challenging harmful practices and connecting survivors with appropriate support services.

The plan therefore offers an opportunity to bring the fight against genderbased violence closer to the communities where prevention, protection and support are needed most.

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