Gambian Religious Leaders Unite Against Gender-Based Violence in Landmark Initiative

Group photo © Askanwi

By Edward Francis Dalliah

In a historic initiative to empower Gambian men with a focus on religious leaders to take a proactive stance against gender-based violence (GBV), the All-Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) has recently launched the AACC platform for male champions for gender justice in The Gambia.

The launch event, held at the Kombo Beach Hotel on 10th April 2025, brought together influential religious leaders from both the Muslim and Christian communities to engage in meaningful discussions about GBV and explore strategies to effectively address this pressing issue. Imams, pastors, and bishops were at the forefront of this advocacy, recognising their pivotal roles in influencing societal change.

The AACC is a prominent continental ecumenical organisation representing over 200 million Christians across Africa. As the largest association of Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, and African-instituted churches, it operates within a broad global ecumenical framework. Its 214 member entities include churches, national church councils, theological institutions, lay training organisations, and Christian groups spanning 43 African nations.

AACC Director of Finance and Administration, Ms. Phyllis Brewah © Askanwi

During her address at the launch, AACC Director of Finance and Administration, Ms. Phyllis Brewah, remarked that GBV “is a global pandemic, deeply rooted in gender inequality and fundamentally a violation of human rights, [and] has no social or economic boundaries.” She emphasised that “it is present in all countries, rich and poor, Muslim or Christian, and affects all socio-economic groups.”

Explaining how they started the Male Champion for Gender Justice, Ms. Brewah highlighted that it stems from a virtual consultation organised by the AACC on 28th July 2020, thereby focusing on the role of men in advancing gender justice in Africa. In response to these discussions, the AACC has initiated this platform not only in The Gambia but also in several other countries where its member churches are active, including Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Togo, and Kenya. This marks a significant development, just five years after the concept was first proposed.

According to the UNHCR, GBV constitutes a severe violation of human rights and poses serious health risks. It encompasses a range of harmful acts, including sexual, physical, mental, and economic abuse, alongside threats, coercion, and manipulation occurring in both public and private realms. These acts can manifest in various forms, such as intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child marriage, and female genital mutilation (FGM), amongst others.

In The Gambia, certain forms of GBV, such as rape, child marriage, and FGM, are criminal offenses. Yet, despite the existence of laws designed to protect victims, the prosecution of offenders remains a significant challenge, largely due to deep-seated cultural norms that perpetuate a culture of silence around these issues.

A 2023 study conducted by Women in Liberation & Leadership (WILL) assessed perceptions of GBV and harmful traditional practices in the Lower River Region (LRR) and North Bank Region (NBR). The findings revealed that a substantial proportion of respondents in both regions recognised women as being at risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) and GBV, with over 70% agreeing that child marriage should be eradicated.

While criminalisation and educational initiatives have contributed to a decline in child marriage and FGM, support for the practice remains notably high in the country. Recently, there have been efforts to challenge the repeal of Section 32 of the Women's Amendment Act 2015, which criminalises the practice of the act, with proponents citing religious and traditional reasons as justifications for their opposition.

Ms. Brewah urged the newly appointed male champions for gender justice in The Gambia to recognise the urgency of their role in the fight against GBV. She stated, “You have been named male champions for gender justice in a difficult time where we have seen an increase in domestic violence, sexual-based violence, and the question of the implementation of strategy to strengthen our resilience in the fight against GBV in The Gambia.” Therefore, called upon them to “be a role model in improving gender justice from the family level, seek opportunities to speak out, and advocate for the need to promote and protect the rights of women, including widows, men, boys, and girls equally.”

This landmark initiative marks a crucial step forward in the fight against GBV in The Gambia, highlighting the essential role of men in fostering a culture of equality and respect for all individuals. By placing respected religious leaders at the forefront of this movement, the initiative not only challenges harmful cultural and traditional norms but also harnesses the power of faith to promote justice, equality, and human dignity.