11 December 2025, Durban – Gender-based violence (GBV) is not a women’s issue – it is a societal issue. Neither is it just a social matter or a national disaster. It is at root, a spiritual issue, as explained by Nompilo Gcwensa, Chair of the Phephisa Survivors Network: “As a survivor I know how your spirit gets attacked; your spirit gets disconnected from God when you have been violated… As part of healing, restoration is key and that’s a vital role for the faith sector”.
These and other key insights emerged during a recent three-hour special religious programming hosted by Lotus FM on Sunday 7th December, 6-9pm, which focused on the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF). The programme was a historic interfaith collaboration between the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, KwaZulu-Natal Interreligious Council, We Will Speak Out South Africa (WWSOSA) and the Faith Action Collective to End GBV, uniting Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Baha’i, Buddhist, and traditional African perspectives.
“According to Stats SA, 85% of South Africans identify as religious, thus the horrendous gender-based violence statistics are taking place under our watch as faith communities,” said Dr Veena Lutchman in her introductory remarks.
“The faith sector has a meaningful role to play in addressing gender-based violence as between us we reach most of South Africa’s population. We have an ethical and spiritual obligation to turn the tide. Due to the faith sector’s influence, we are perhaps the best placed sector to do so. Some great things are happening but overall, our record has not always been good so far” said Canon Daniela Gennrich, Coordinator of WWSOSA and the Faith Action Collective and Lay Canon in the Anglican Diocese of Natal.
Gender-based violence was recognised by all speakers as a crisis that affects society as a whole and not just women. “We must educate our sons, we must protect women, we must intervene when we see abuse, we must support survivors, not silence them, and we must report offenders and not hide behind religion and culture,” was the strong message from Moulana Mohamed Rafeek Sheik, leader of two local mosques and social justice advocate.
“It is a spiritual issue,” said Dr Nontando, International Coordinator of Side by Side. So it is vital that address it as such. “Activists in the different faiths are rediscovering sacred texts and resources within their faith traditions that can be used against GBV to promote the equality of women and equal relations in the home and society. We are challenging interpretations of sacred texts that promote the inferiority of women and male leadership without accountability. Texts need to be understood within the context of our shared faith values of equality, justice and promotion of non-harm.”
Various speakers, including faith leaders, activists, academics, and survivors, addressed the systemic nature of GBV and femicide. They showed how the majority of sacred texts and religious values mandate mutual respect and equality, and they challenged the common misuse or misunderstanding of sacred texts that often perpetuate abuse. The speakers affirmed the principle of equality and the need to honour the dignity of all individuals, irrespective of gender. All faith traditions represented were clear that violence against women and all human beings is unequivocally forbidden and unacceptable, and that silence is not an option.
Islamic teachings declare that every human being is honoured and their integrity must be respected by virtue of being human. Hinduism places the feminine principle and the child at the very apex of reverence. Christianity views every human being as made in the image of God and thus sacred. The Baha’i faith stresses that the full and equal participation of women in all spheres of life is essential for human progress and the transformation of society (Hailey Fudu, collaborator with the Bahai International Community and the secretary of the local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of Ethekwini). The Buddhist perspective highlights that GBV is rooted in all human structures, beginning in the family. All agreed that silence in the face of abuse is ‘haram’, ‘sin’ and against the will of God ( Kogie, Moorti, PR Officer of the KZN Buddhist Society).
The speakers agreed that their sacred texts and faith traditions can and must be utilised as resources to combat GBV by challenging entrenched interpretations of sacred texts that are either directly or indirectly harmful and amplifying those that promote life-giving values.
A central theme was the collective call for urgent, sustained, and collaborative action from all sectors of society—particularly religious institutions—to support survivors, educate communities, address underlying patriarchal norms and ultimately eradicate this national crisis.
“Accountability needs to be at the core of our work as religious institutions and leaders. We must take proactive steps to transform our own structures and practices,” said Sabina Besesar, Executive member of the Hindu Maha Sabha and President of the Shree Sanathan Dhrama of South Africa, on another platform.
Sustained action requires funding, and some speakers spoke of the urgent need for a systematic and credible national funding mechanism that reaches local community initiatives (Dr Fikile Vilakazi-Alberts from the Ikhwelo Tradition Healers Collective).
Practical Resolutions:
Several comments challenged those present to commit to collaborating on some clear concrete steps to ensure the meeting would go beyond ‘another talk shop’ to concrete action. All those participating agreed that the faith sector must:
- Serve as Safe Havens: Places of worship must be places of refuge for survivors and also safe spaces where all and any persons can thrive, without exception.
- Develop Accountability Structures: This requires safeguarding policies and measures to prevent as well as sanction all forms of abuse of power and provide training for leaders and members regarding their roles and responsibilities in preventing and mitigating GBV.
- Reclaim Sacred Texts and revisit possible harmful practices: The faith sector must collectively reclaim the integrity of their sacred teachings and practices by challenging the misuse of scripture (spiritual abuse) that justifies or condones GBV and rediscovering ‘silenced’ texts that promote equality, inclusion and harmony and reject GBV. Scriptures and vedas must not just be read as disconnected spiritual truths “but applied in practice, to shape behaviour and transform hearts” (Pt Kiran Satgoor, President of the Hindu Arya Samaj) .
- Create spaces for Mutual Learning and Join Action: Organisations with specialist knowledge were requested to make available customised in-person training for faith leaders and activists on key topics, such as faith-based GBV facilitation, GBV and the law, and trauma counselling. At the same time, Daniela Gennrich of We Will Speak Out South Africa Coalition reminded participants that “everyone has something to contribute and the most enriching training is that which draws on the rich and diverse knowledge amongst all people engaged in this work at any level”.
Resolution: In the spirit of unity and the need for contextually-appropriate action, we commit to continuing to build a united and active interfaith collective for mutual support and to hold one another accountable. We believe that through our shared hopes and ideals, by acknowledging our shortcomings and committing to the above decisive courses of action, we can establish Ubuntu in all our diversity and transform into a nation governed by a culture of peace.
For crisis contacts: https://www.wwsosa.org.za/wp-content/uploads/Crisis-Contacts-Bookmark.pdf
For further information: www.wwsosa.org.za, www.interfaithendgbv.org.za, www.sahms.org.za
Contacts: communication@wwsosa.org.za, info@sahms.org.za
