Guidelines for engaging religious and traditional leaders on ending violence against women and girls in Africa

Effective engagement with religious and traditional leaders requires moving beyond short-term or transactional interactions towards sustained partnerships that recognise their influence while remaining firmly grounded in gender equality and human rights. The Guidelines recommend:

1. Build relationships based on trust and mutual respect: Engage religious and traditional leaders from the outset, recognising existing governance and authority structures and investing in sustained, transparent relationships rather than one-off consultations.
2. Strengthen capacity on gender equality and human rights: Support leaders to deepen their understanding of violence against women and girls, relevant legal and human rights frameworks and survivor-centred approaches, while encouraging reflection on religious and cultural norms that may reinforce gender inequality.
3. Prioritise survivor safety and strengthen referral systems: Strengthen referral pathways and coordination with relevant structures and services so that women and girls experiencing violence can access appropriate protection and support. Mediation or reconciliation should never take precedence over survivor safety.
4. Promote inclusive and gender-responsive leadership: Meaningfully involve women, young people and other underrepresented groups in engagement processes, while addressing unequal power structures and supporting leadership that advances dignity, equality and non-violence.
5. Invest in long-term, coordinated partnerships:  Involve religious and traditional leaders from project inception through implementation and evaluation, with clear roles, accountability mechanisms and coordination between civil society, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders.