Key Social Norms Take-aways This study affirms that engaging faith leaders and faith communities can catalyze significant shifts in harmful social norms around violence against women and girls in conflict-affected settings. The intervention leveraged the trust, reach, and moral authority of religious actors to promote more equitable gender norms and reject intimate partner and sexual violence. Social norms changed across the whole community—not only among those directly involved—suggesting the diffusion power of faith-based messaging. Crucially, religious spaces, often seen as conservative or patriarchal, became platforms for transformation when approached with structured, values-based dialogue and training.
Objectives The study aimed to evaluate the impact of a three-year intervention in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that engaged faith groups to reduce violence against women and girls, especially intimate partner and sexual violence. The study also assessed whether the intervention influenced social norms, attitudes, and behaviors related to gender and violence.
Methods A pre-post study design was used, based on two rounds of community surveys in 15 villages across three health areas in Ituri Province. Surveys were conducted with randomly selected adult men and women (751 respondents at baseline in 2015 and 1,198 at endline in 2017). The surveys included validated scales measuring gender attitudes, masculinity norms, rape myths, and stigma toward survivors. Intimate partner and non-partner sexual violence experience and perpetration were also assessed.
Intervention Details Tearfund and HEAL Africa implemented the intervention using the “Transforming Masculinities” approach. Faith leaders and gender champions were trained and mentored to challenge harmful norms and attitudes through sermons, group discussions, counselling, and community dialogues. Community Action Groups provided survivor support and facilitated dialogue. Activities also included the “Healing of Memories” process for survivors. The intervention reached broad segments of the community and was carried out over 36 months, beginning in 2015.
Results The intervention communities showed significant improvements in gender equitable attitudes, reduced tolerance of violence, and decreased stigma toward rape survivors. Reports of emotional, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence—both experience and perpetration—declined substantially. While direct participation in intervention activities predicted more equitable norms, reductions in violence were observed community-wide, implying norm diffusion.
Conclusions Faith leaders are strategic and influential entry points for changing social norms around gender and violence in fragile settings. When equipped and supported, they can promote broad shifts in attitudes and behaviors across entire communities. The study underscores the value of faith-based, community-rooted approaches for preventing violence against women and girls, particularly where state infrastructure is weak.