Final Evaluation: Strengthening the Capacity of Religious Leaders to End Violence Against Women and Girls in South Africa, Burundi, and Ghana  

Author(s)/editor(s)

Dr. Sophia Chirongoma, Prof. Beatrice Okyere-Manu, Dr. Bridget Masaiti-Mukuka

Location: South Africa, Burundi and Ghana

Grantee: INERELA+ (international network of religious leaders living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS) 

Grant period: January 2020 - June 2023

Grant amount: USD 1,030,060

Authors/editors: Dr. Sophia Chirongoma, Prof. Beatrice Okyere-Manu, Dr. Bridget Masaiti-Mukuka,

Publication year: 2024

The project “Strengthening the Capacity of Religious Leaders to End Violence Against Women and Girls in South Africa, Burundi, and Ghana” was implemented from January 2020 to June 2023 by INERELA+ (international network of religious leaders living with or personally affected by HIV and AIDS), with the support of the UN Trust Fund. The project’s main aim was to reduce violence against women and girls and build strong coalitions among various stakeholders through collective mobilization of religious leaders in three Sub-Saharan African countries: Burundi, Ghana and South Africa.

The final evaluation found that INERELA+ made a notable intervention in shifting norms, empowering women and girls, and challenging the abuse of religion and culture to defend violence against women and girls (VAW/G). 

Main findings of the evaluation:

The project’s main strength was its multi-pronged approach, focusing on education, sensitization, advocacy, capacity and skills training, which allowed it to achieve all of its targeted outcomes. 
The project successfully collaborated with religious leaders as agents of change for eliminating VAW/G, empowering them to report any forms of violence and speak out against it. The success was most apparent among male religious leaders, many of whom previously facilitated or enabled VAW/G, who became keen to uphold and promote the rights of women and girls.
The project demonstrated considerable levels of sustainability, taking root in local structures and equipping young people with knowledge and skills.