Faith leaders in Grand Cape Mount County have joined forces with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) to intensify efforts aimed at ending gender-based violence (GBV) across communities.
The initiative forms part of activities under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), which seeks to promote positive social norms and strengthen protection systems for women and girls throughout Liberia.
Through community engagement sessions utilizing the SASA! Together Power Poster methodology, religious leaders are being equipped with tools to influence attitudes and behaviors within their congregations.
The SASA! Together model, widely recognized as an effective community mobilization approach, focuses on addressing power imbalances that contribute to violence against women and girls.
During a recent engagement in Grand Cape Mount County, prominent local leaders publicly pledged their commitment to the cause.
Among them were Pastor Jeremiah of Gbah Foboi and community leader Rufus Fekai of Fandoh, both of whom emphasized the importance of using faith platforms to drive change.
Speaking during the session, the leaders underscored the urgency of tackling GBV through collective action and community ownership.
“SASA! Together! is the fastest vehicle to transform our communities into violence-free societies,” they stated.
They further noted that faith leaders hold significant influence in shaping societal values and are therefore critical in promoting respect, dignity, and equality for women and girls.
The involvement of religious institutions reflects a broader strategy by the MGCSP to engage trusted community actors in addressing deeply rooted social norms.
By leveraging sermons, counseling sessions, and community outreach, faith leaders are expected to amplify awareness and encourage behavioral change.
The initiative is supported by several international and local partners, including UNICEF Liberia, UN Women Liberia, Plan International Liberia, and ActionAid Liberia.
Additional support comes from organizations such as Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia and the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia, which continue to advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
As these collaborative efforts expand, stakeholders remain optimistic that sustained community engagement and faith-based advocacy will significantly reduce gender-based violence and foster safer, more inclusive societies across Liberia.
