The Intersections of Religion and Gender-Based Violence: Perspectives from a Christian-Organised Empowerment Initiative in Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Recent research has shown religion as a particularly essential element that helps women deal with Gender-Based Violence (GBV). While providing the institutional space within which violence against women can be exacerbated, religion can also provide deeply intertwined ideological norms and socio-cultural attitudes, which help victims deal with GBV. Yet, Gender-Based Violence literature in South Africa has provided limited analysis of the role of religion as a catalyst for dealing with GBV. This study addresses this research gap, by exploring the role of religion in combatting gender-based violence, particularly within the context of a Christian-organised empowerment centre in Thohoyandou, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The study is encored on the empowerment theory which unravels the situation of the marginalized and victimized in our societies. The research is based on a qualitative approach and one-on-one semi-structured interviews was used for the collection of data; a non-probability purposive and snowball sampling technique was used to select 17 participants for the study (14 women identified as victims of gender-based violence and 3 church pastor/leaders as organizers of the Christian based empowerment program) and the data analysed using thematic analysis. Drawing on data, collected from administrators and the participants of a Christian GBV-empowerment programme, the study identifies religious elements used by the GBV victims to address GBV. Such identified elements include Bible study, prayer, women’s services, conferences, seminars, economic empowerment, medical outreaches, and leadership positions. By analysing these elements, the study reveals that they bring healing, resilience, economic empowerment and power to the survivors of GBV. The data provides not only opportunity to highlight religion’s role as a resource for combating GBV, but also opportunity to amplify GBV victims’ voices. The findings also provide the state opportunity, to draw from non-traditional sources to reformulate policies that assist GBV victims in South Africa. The study concludes that women empowerment encourages participation of women in the economy bringing about faster growth of the economy and an integrated society and recommends inclusivity by involving non-faith women in the empowerment programs and organising an awareness programs for the perpetrators of GBV.