Faith in Action? The Role of the Church in Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Eswatini

Abstract

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive social, public health, and human rights challenge in Eswatini, with women and girls disproportionately affected. The church, as a moral and social authority, holds potential to influence social norms, support survivors, and promote gender justice. This qualitative study, guided by the transformative paradigm and Social Norms Theory, explored the role of churches in addressing GBV in Eswatini. Using a phenomenological design, in-depth interviews with church leaders, congregants, and key informants were conducted to examine how church teachings, pastoral practices, and institutional responses shape attitudes toward gender, power, and violence. Findings indicate that churches engage in awareness-raising through sermons, moral education, prayer, and community outreach, contributing to greater openness and dialogue around GBV. However, effectiveness is constrained by uneven capacity, resource limitations, cultural resistance, and patriarchal interpretations of doctrine. The study underscores the dual potential of church teachings to both empower and constrain survivors, highlighting the need for targeted training, institutionalised GBV strategies, and multi-sectoral collaboration. Integrating theological reflection with evidence-based approaches can strengthen the church’s contribution to GBV prevention, survivor support, and social norm transformation in Eswatini.