In many low- and middle-income countries, faith institutions carry significant moral authority and influence. In communities where state systems are often under-resourced or distrusted, religious leaders and organisations frequently serve as frontline responders to crises such as gender- based violence (GBV). For many survivors, faith can be both a lifeline and a source of harm. This tension is particularly evident among populations facing high levels of poverty, marginalisation and vulnerabilities, including women, LGBTQI+ individuals, and youth.

This policy brief stems from an innovative research collaboration led by the SVRI’s Community of Practise (CoP), specifically Working Group 1 (WG1) on Evidence Building. From October 2024 to May 2025, WG1 explored the intersecting roles of faith, culture, and community in shaping GBV prevention efforts. The initiative aimed to challenge conventional evidence-building paradigms that often exclude spiritual knowledge systems, fail to address power asymmetries and overlook youth voices. This exploration was primarily located within African and Latin American contexts.

The research responded to an urgent gap in the evidence base on the intersections between GBV and faith. Although faith-based responses to GBV are widespread, there is a scarcity of nuanced, locally grounded, and ethically collected evidence that can inform inclusive policy change.

This brief offers a synthesis of the WG1 findings and outlines actionable recommendations for researchers, policymakers, legal institutions, civil society, and donors. It centres the voices of young people, survivors, and faith actors working at the intersection of trauma, belief, and transformation.