South Africa: Inter Faith Action to end GBV - Empowering Leaders, Transforming Communities
This interfaith movement is uniting diverse faith leaders to confront gender‑based violence across South Africa. Through collaboration, survivor‑centred action and a shared commitment to justice, the movement is transforming sacred spaces, strengthening leaders, and building a powerful collective dedicated to ending GBV.
We Will Speak Out South Africa (WWSOSA) leads a national movement to mobilise the faith sector in responding to gender‑based violence. The organisation emerged after evidence showed that many survivors felt deeply unsupported by religious leaders. WWSOSA now coordinates the Faith Action Collective, bringing together leaders from eight different faith traditions.
The work is rooted in survivor voices and the need for faith spaces to become safe, accountable and compassionate environments. It addresses spiritual abuse, harmful norms, and silence within religious spaces. Through consultations, interfaith dialogues, strategic planning, and a historic Joint Interfaith Statement, the movement has created South Africa’s first unified faith‑sector response to GBV.
Key milestones include interfaith summits, a 45‑million‑reach communications campaign, creation of the GBV Prevention & Mitigation Strategy 2024–2030, and the launch of the online Community of Praxis—a safe learning and action platform for faith actors.
The change is evident through the rise of working groups, strengthened faith leadership training, collaborative advocacy, and partnerships with bodies such as the CRL Rights Commission. Faith communities are shifting norms, amplifying survivor voices, and integrating GBV prevention into sacred practices.
Quotes:
Dr Fikile Vilizaki - It has been an intimate, emotional and transformative journey… GBV should never happen in the name of tradition or faith.
Moulana Rafeek Shah - An interfaith approach fosters mutual respect, breaks down barriers and promotes harmony among diverse communities.
Ouma - Every time I looked at my past, I blamed myself, but now I know it was not my fault… It helps me to speak out and find help.
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