A Statement From The Fellowship Of Christian Councils And Churches In The Great Lakes And Horn Of Africa (FECCLAHA) Regarding Violence Against Women And Children

• Some, are affected by it directly or indirectly,
• Some are causing it, others are its victims,
• And still others work to prevent it or repair the damage it causes.

And so the gross injustice of Gender Based Violence in our society is a challenge to all the faith communities. It is a vice which we can not ignore and therefore, urge all the religious leaders to become informed about the extent, the causes and the remedies of Gender Based Violence.

Indeed. The faith based Organisations are uniquely placed to play a decisive role in the prevention and elimination of the different forms of violence against women and children. They have the moral authority, responsibility and capacity to minister to the needs of those who have been abused as well as deal with the perpetrators.

As you are aware, faith based institutions can provide opportunities for healing to the survivors. They can do this, by providing emotional and spiritual support, counselling, and shelter. This would complement the efforts of hospitals, civil society organisations, and the police. They can also provide sanctions and deterrent measures for perpetrators, for example, by holding them accountable for their deeds, and providing them with counselling. Faith communities can also play a role by preaching and teaching about the evil of Gender- Based Violence, thereby setting standards for societal values that will protect the well-being and dignity of women and children.

Those who have pastoral responsibility are often in a privilege position to help in situations of violence. We therefore, in particular ask that they:

• Take seriously the woman or child who discloses abuse;
• Avoid simplistic solutions and a false spiritualising of the problem;
• avoid the misuse of Scripture in any way that would appear to justify male domination;
• be informed as to available supportive resources ( medical, legal, shelter, counselling and educational) and know when and how to refer people for specialised help;
• be ready to deal with the profound spiritual questions that arise concerning the woman’s relationship with God and her worth and dignity as a person;
• Create a parish atmosphere where laity and clergy can discuss the question of Gender Based Violence openly and sensitively.

It is also part of our shared responsibility as citizens to monitor government legislation, supporting that which enhances the dignity of persons, and opposing that which directly or indirectly contributes to violence. In this regard there is need for determined advocacy towards our law makers to implement policies and laws that are intended to address Gender Based Violence.

We as FECCLAHA are taking an active stand against GBV through Tamara Campaign, which was launched last year. The Campaigns is based on the story of the incestuous rape of Tamar by her half-brother Amnon, the children of King David (2 Samuel 13: 1-21). Its’ main objectives include breaking the chains of silence and denial in the church regarding physical, spiritual , mental and verbal abuse of children and women’ and developing a practical and pastoral response and action towards safety, security, justice and healing of survivors and counselling for perpetrators of such violence.

In order to add the voice of the Church to the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence on women, FECCLAHA is planning a dinner gathering for Church leaders and Parliamentarians tonight at the Stanley, beginning at 6:30pm. We also plan to have a Tamar March from All Saints Cathedral through the City Centre to Mamlaka Hill Chapel on the 9th December.

We can only hope to overcome the escalating violence against women and children in our society if we are prepared to admit that it is happening, it is a serious social problem, it is an offence against God, as well as the survivors and sometimes prolonged by the denial and wrong teaching of the faith communities.