Die Podiumsteilnehmer, von links nach rechts: Kai Langer von der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Bayern, Bruder Lizwi Mtumtum, Präsident der Brüder-Unität in Südafrika, Pfr. Dr. Felipe Butteli von der Evangelischen Kirche Lutherischen Bekenntnisses in Brasilien sowie Sourav Sampan Goudo von der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche Jeypur in Indien. Foto: Zusammenstellung von Johanan Celine Valeriano
Churches reflect on urgent need for men and boys to be allies in the work to end online and offline gender-based violence
(LWI) - Rapid advances in digital technology have created “a safe space for gender-based violence to proliferate,” therefore men and boys must be active allies in combatting both online and offline abuse. That is the conviction of four gender justice advocates from churches in Germany, South Africa, India and Brazil who are leading the work to promote positive change in their congregations, local communities and wider societies.
At the conclusion of the 16 Days campaign to end violence against women and girls, the four men shared their views as panelists in a 9 December webinar hosted by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Entitled ‘Men and boys as allies in creating safe digital spaces,’ the discussion focused on the role of faith leaders in preventing online abuse and supporting survivors, while calling on both governments and big tech companies to provide greater protection and accountability.
Moderated by LWF’s Senior Advocacy Officer for Gender Justice, Sikhonzile Ndlovu, the panelists began by outlining the alarming rise in cybercrimes against women and girls in their countries. In Brazil, said Rev. Dr Felipe Butteli, pastor of a coastal parish in the south of the country, “the digitalization of social relations has resulted in increased radicalism, profound ideological manipulation [....] and the formation of a toxic and misogynistic masculinity.” He noted that this radicalization is driven by authoritarian and conservative agendas, while algorithms multiply violent messages and “have turned Brazilian society into a more violent place.”
Prophetic and pastoral responsibilities
In Germany too, “misogyny is growing,” said Kai Langer from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, one of the organizers of a global 16 Days online prayer vigil hosted by LWF Youth. Langer, who is on the board of the German National Committee of the LWF, noted that it is young people, especially women and girls who are hardest hit by the rise in digital violence and abuse, although he pointed to a significant “data gap” since Germany has no central monitoring of gender-specific cybercrimes.
In South Africa, digital violence is a growing and alarming concern, said Br. Lizwi Mtumtum, President of the Moravian Church in South Africa. In a country where President Cyril Ramaphosa recently declared femicide and gender-based violence to be a “national disaster,” Mtumtum works with his church’s youth desk to tackle the crisis, affirming that “as a church, we have a prophetic and pastoral responsibility to speak truth, to support survivors and to create communities of healing, accountability and justice.”
Sourav Sampan Goudo from the Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, an active member of LWF’s Youth network, spoke of the “serious and growing challenge of digital violence” in his country, which often targets vulnerable women and girls from lower caste families and minority religious groups. Cybercrimes against women have increased by more than a quarter of recent years, he said, noting that online abuse reflects the real-life violence that is prevalent in India’s “deeply patriarchal society.”
Widespread crisis in masculinity fueled by “logic of the algorithms”
Panelists highlighted the serious health consequences and other long-term effects that online violence and abuse can cause for women and girls. “These violations have profound effects on mental health, education, social participation and the overall wellbeing of survivors, “ Lizwi said, adding that it often intersects with other vulnerabilities including “poverty, race, rural-urban divides and access to technology.”
But Butelli also pointed to the effects on boys and men of toxic behaviors and the “widespread crisis in masculinity” which is fueled by “the logic of the algorithms.” Men, he said “die younger, commit suicide, live estranged from families, become addicted and are victims of their own destructive behavior.” Men, he insisted, “need courage to create spaces for self-reflection. As a faith leader, I must support this through biblical and theological arguments, but also by suggesting spaces for dialogue and accompaniment.”
Advocacy is in every click.
Sourav Sampan Goudo of the Jeypore Evangelical Lutheran Church in India
While churches can play a key role, Langer noted that “it is the responsibility of every single man to intervene and fight for gender justice, using the privilege they have had for centuries.” From public advocacy and action to personal conversations, he said, there are many ways to take responsibility, including education through books and podcasts to joining growing online communities of male gender justice advocates.
Male-led advocacy is a crucial part of the solution, said Goudo, because men can challenge abusive behavior online in order “to disrupt these cultures from within.” While many men choose to see gender justice as “a women’s issue,” he said, it is vital “to see it as our issue.” Advocacy, he stressed “is in every click. When men stop liking sexist content, stop sharing problematic reels and instead report abuse or promote respectful posts, the entire digital environment shifts.”
Panelists shared urgent calls to action, not only for individuals but also for faith communities, youth networks, big tech companies and governments, calling for more effective law enforcement, together with stronger reporting and response systems. “Micah reminds us to act justly [so] we must train our ministers and youth leaders, as well as offering pastoral care and counselling for survivors,” Lizwe said. “We must understand that gender justice is a fruit of the gospel,” Butelli concluded, “therefore we are called to live this and to denounce gender-based violence as a sin.”
Find out more about LWF’s participation in the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender-Based Violence campaign which runs from 25 November to 10 December each year.
