Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant global issue, requiring locally grounded and multi- faceted responses. Faith-based actors hold influential roles in shaping cultural norms and social behaviours, positioning them as key stakeholders in efforts to address GBV. However, a gap in communication between faith leaders and policymakers often leads to ineffective policies, fragmented survivor support, and the persistence of harmful practices. This policy brief underscores the critical necessity of fostering robust, meaningful dialogue and collaboration between these two groups to tackle GBV. It outlines the risks associated with inadequate communication or lack thereof, highlights the potential benefits of strengthened dialogue, provides actionable recommendations for building bridges, and uses targeted, research-informed examples to illustrate these points, ultimately aiming to create more comprehensive and socially relevant solutions to GBV. While the brief centres African experiences and voices—particularly those from the field —it acknowledges that both GBV and the communication challenges it explores are not unique to Africa. These dynamics occur globally, and the insights presented here aim to inform broader, cross-contextual learning.

This policy brief is the outcome of a thematic working group focused on communication between faith leaders and policymakers in the context of gender-based violence (GBV). The group was convened under the SVRI’s Community of Practice (CoP) on Faith and GBV. It brought together diverse actors—including faith- based practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and civil society representatives—to collectively explore how improved communication can strengthen GBV prevention and response in their locally specific contexts across Africa. The insights and recommendations in this brief reflect the group’s collaborative learning and shared commitment to addressing GBV through more inclusive, coordinated, and contextually grounded approaches.