Still as part of the commemoration of the 16 days of Activism to end Violence Against Women & Girls under the theme “Orange the World, End Violence against Women Now”, CHRDA, carried out an outreach on December 8, 2021 at the Praise Baptist Church, Ndongo-Wokoko, Buea. The outreach was aimed at educating the members of the church on the positive role the church/ Faith-based Organizations (FBOs) can play in ending GBV in the community.

Being the voice of good morals in the society, the church can serve as a home that is open for everyone to express their worries. Survivors of GBV can run to the church for refuge.  FBOs act as a safe space that can provide shelter and counselling, health services and spiritual healing to help survivors to rebuild and heal their mental health. FBO can also use the group approach to address GBV. Working with the various sub groups in the church will ensure collaboration on finding solutions, reducing stigma, and helps survivors to build trust and share their experiences. This can also lead to the creation of multi-religious support groups to assist survivors. FBOs can also raise awareness and educate the community on issues of GBV. This can be done during worship services and by organizing multi-religious seminars targeting women and girls, men and boys from different groups. FBOs can advocate for enactment and enforcement of laws, and policies to protect women and girls.

During the very interactive session, some church members shared their experience in handling cases of violence at home and amongst children. Flyers bearing messages on how to engage communities to prevent violence against women and girls using the SASA! Approach were distributed to the Christians. The Christians were encouraged to preach and act love, forgiveness and cultivate a culture of non-violence in order to make our community safe for all.