UN official underlines faith communities as “key partners” in breaking “taboo” of gender-based violence
(LWI) - A United Nations (UN) representative has emphasized the critical role of churches and other faith-based organizations (FBOs) in raising awareness about sexual and gender-based violence ahead of LWF’s engagement in the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Faith-based organizations “have a very strong grassroot community, influence, integrity and they are more trusted,” said Ms Sarah Nanjala, from the UN Women’s Geneva Office. She was addressing participants in an event at The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Communion Office, 22 November. Participants included LWF staff and 14 Bishops and Presidents of LWF’s member churches attending this year’s Retreat of Newly Elected Leaders. Nanjala referred to faith communities as “key partners” in UN trainings to raise awareness about “breaking the taboo” of gender-based violence in places where it “has become such a norm, that people think it is normal.”