Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)

The World Health Organization estimates that 200 million women and girls live with the consequences of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in over 30 countries worldwide.

Tearfund’s programmes focus on a partnership between faith leaders and women and girls to bring an end to FGM/C. This includes strengthening the capacity of FGM/C survivors to speak out against FGM/C through awareness-raising and reinforcement of knowledge of FGM/C; leadership development for survivors who lead support groups; referral to services in the community that address survivors’ health needs and mentoring and coaching of key influencers who are themselves survivors.

Faith leaders are engaged through the Transforming Masculinities approach to advocate for an end of harmful social norms that lead to and perpetuate the practice of FGM/C. This is done through a series of community dialogues on faith, tradition and the root causes of FGM/C. Additionally, key survivors and faith leaders undertake advocacy initiatives around FGM/C legislation with policymakers at local and national levels.

Discover our resources on FGM/C 

Addressing the needs of women and girls in relation to water, sanitation and hygiene is key to achieving gender equality.

Globally, women and girls are still the primary water collectors in their household. They are still the main carers when children or others get sick with diarrhoeal diseases. Day after day, they secure water that is essential for food security and livelihoods. 

Yet despite these responsibilities, unequal access to water and land means that women are disproportionately affected by the lack of water. 

Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to abuse and attack, often having to wait until dark to relieve themselves in the open and in unsafe toilets, or where they have to fetch water from remote locations. 

Tearfund involves both women and men in planning and managing water and sanitation services. We prioritise women's needs, concerns and preferences through a gender-responsive approach to projects. We work to empower women to share their knowledge, develop their skills and strengthen their decision-making powers.  

Evidence supports that this approach to gender mainstreaming can increase women's influence, visibility and participation within their own communities and in community-based WASH initiatives. 

Explore Tearfund’s guidance notes on gender and WASH

In communities around the world, church networks are reaching the most vulnerable people in areas where NGOs cannot reach. Tearfund is committed to working with the local church and believes in the church’s limitless potential for outreach and influence for change through and in its community.

The church has an active role in the promotion of gender equality, equitable relationships and positive masculinities through the teaching and study of scriptures. The church also can bring holistic transformation in people’s lives, and can be mobilised to break the silence on SGBV, tackle stigmatisation of survivors, and provide support for survivors of SGBV. The church can be a safe space for healing and restoration of broken lives and relationships.

Explore resources for churches on SGBV

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is present in communities before a crisis hits, but risks and vulnerability to SGBV increase during emergencies and their aftermath. Those in positions of authority, such as the police, security officials, community leaders, teachers, employers, landlords and humanitarian workers, may abuse their power. During armed conflict, sexual violence may often be used as a weapon of war.

In a crisis, churches and mosques often become places of refuge, and in practice faith leaders are often the first responders. Lack of knowledge or capacity, taboos and harmful beliefs among these leaders can mean they may contribute to or condone harmful beliefs that are a key root cause of SGBV. However, when meaningfully engaged, faith groups can have a great impact on SGBV prevention in conflict-affected communities.

Explore resources on SGBV and conflict

Women make enormous contributions to the income of their families; however, they are disproportionately affected by poverty, discrimination and exploitation and often have less access to assets, control over income and involvement in decision-making. Tearfund is working to better enable men and women to work together as equally valued partners so that individuals, families and communities can flourish.

We know that women’s economic empowerment is beneficial to women, to their families, their communities and to national economies. Globally, however, women are paid less than men and have more limited access to land and resources than men. Household finances are often controlled by men rather than shared jointly between partners. Women (and girls) also carry out the bulk of unpaid household work leaving less time for them to engage in income generation to support their own and their family’s needs.

A lack of financial independence can also leave women in dangerous and violent relationships. Moreover, when addressing women’s economic empowerment it needs to be considered that existing gender roles and norms will be disrupted, and that this has the potential to generate more violence towards women. As a result, we need to work with the whole community at the same time, to create a favourable environment and understanding around the benefits for everyone.

Explore our resources on women’s economic empowerment