FAITH LEADERS GENDER TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME
The Faith Leaders’ Gender Transformation Programme (FLGTP) is an innovative transformative programme to equip change agents to begin to transform their faith institutions into gender-and GBV-competent institutions. The FLGTP combines personal growth, theory, liberation approaches to theology, and a strong focus on practical implementation at institutional level.
The long-terms aims are that:
- Faith leaders become change agents to transform their faith communities to become gender-equal and GBV-competent.
- These faith leaders become credible and impactful partners in multi-stakeholder initiatives that contribute to the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF).
Initiated by We Will Speak Out (WWSOSA) in 2019, the FLGTP was conceptualised from the start as a collaborative project between WWSOSA Coalition members, and other partners then joined as the project was opened up to the Faith Action to End GBV Collective.
The FLGTP aims to move beyond individual transformation to equipping and accompanying participants to become CHANGE AGENTS contributing to institutional change.
The three pilots of this 10-month programme attracted faith leaders from diverse Christian churches and organisations from different parts of South Africa, including pastors and priests, lay ministers, leaders of women’s, men’s and youth organisations/ministries, youth pastors and a survivors’ shelter.
Over the last four years, twenty organisations have been part of the FLGTP. Key active partners include University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Gender and Religion Programme, UNISA’s Gender Studies Department, Ujamaa Centre, Side by Side Global Faith Network for Gender Justice, and Heartlines. The programme is endorsed by partners, including UN Women, ACT Ubumbano and several Southern African Churches.