How Faith Leaders Help Shift Mindsets Towards Equality in South Sudan

“This gender-based violence (GBV) program has brought so much change. I can see it already.”

– Margaret

In partnership with Mothers’ Union South Sudan, Episcopal Relief & Development is working to mitigate gender-based violence and promote social inclusion in 24 communities across two dioceses–Juba and Rejaf. 

We use a social behavior change method, meaning together with our partners we help individuals and communities examine their beliefs, behaviors and practices that disadvantage and harm women and girls. As part of our program in South Sudan, this work takes place during facilitator-led literacy circles.

In addition to improving the literacy of participants, literacy circles provide safe spaces to discuss and address a host of issues including conflict resolution, trauma healing and gender-based violence. At least 70% of participants in each group are women, and the groups are capped at 30 to encourage engagement and ensure that everyone’s voice gets heard. Group members help choose a meeting place–often a church, school, community center, or even under the shade of an old tree. Each literacy circle is provided with a chalkboard, chalk and other learning resources. 

According to Margaret, a literacy group facilitator from the St. James Parish, changes are already starting to take place. “When women from my group go home, they know their rights,” Margaret shared. “They tell their children that all are equal. Boys can collect water and sweep just like the girls.”

Alex, a literacy group facilitator from the nearby Djeri community, noticed signs of behavior change at the household and family level, too, especially around gender-equity in decision-making. 

“In the Mundari culture,” Alex shared, “when a young woman wants to marry, her family meets with the young man’s family to negotiate dowry demands. Traditionally, women are excluded.” However, he continued, “So far, I have seen ten households that are starting to change. In these households, decision making is starting to include women in discussions about dowries, resources, inheritance rights, property ownership and highly-personal things like when to go to the hospital during pregnancy. These are big changes.” 

The program also equips and supports local faith leaders to speak out against harmful gender norms and gender-based violence and to change mindsets in the broader community. 

Recently, Christian, Muslim, and traditional faith leaders from each of the program’s 24 communities participated in a five-day workshop to critically examine traditional belief systems and better understand their own beliefs and biases about gender equity and social inclusion. When they speak to people in the community, faith leaders use a behavior change toolkit that includes holy scriptures and guidance from the Bible and Qur’an that demonstrate gender equity and social inclusion while being sensitive to the beliefs of the community.  

Creating social behavior change that endures is at the heart of the work we do at Episcopal Relief & Development. 

According to Sarah, a literacy group facilitator for St. Paul’s Parish in the Juba diocese, there’s no secret to social behavior change.

“You have to start with one person–yourself. Then you can help others to change.”

View Episcopal Relief & Development’s 2023 Annual Report for more stories of lasting change.