Stakeholders working on gender justice
Stakeholders working on gender justice have raised concern over the increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) within faith communities, warning that places of worship, which are meant to be safe spaces, are increasingly becoming environments where abuse occurs.
They were speaking in Bamenda, Wednesday 22nd April 2026 as faith actors met in a session with the civil society.
The session was convened by PEARL Foundation (Protection, Empowerment, Rehabilitation and Livelihood Foundation).
Nsono Josephine of Pearl Foundation
Speaking on the issue, Nsono Josephine Nweimalu, Founding Coordinator of PEARL Foundation, described the situation as alarming, noting that many of the cases handled by her organization involve victims or perpetrators who belong to religious institutions, whether Christian, Muslim, or traditional.
According to her, this reality makes it impossible to separate GBV from faith communities. She stressed that these spaces are meant to provide comfort, dignity, and a sense of belonging, but this is not always the case, especially for victims of abuse.
She explained that religious teachings and beliefs play a strong role in shaping behavior, but there is a need to critically examine how these teachings are interpreted and applied. While not questioning sacred texts such as the Bible or the Quran, she emphasized the importance of reflecting on how certain practices or attitudes may allow injustice to persist, either by ignoring abuse or failing to respond adequately.
Nsono Jose pointed out that in many cases, incidents of violence are not properly addressed within religious settings, leaving victims without justice or support. She noted that some leaders fail to take action, even when they are aware of such situations, which can further deepen the problem and create an unsafe environment for worshippers.
She maintained that the scale of the problem is too large for any single organization or religious institution to handle alone. This, she said, is why collaboration between civil society organizations, faith leaders, and other stakeholders is necessary to effectively address the issue. She called for the development of clear policies within churches and other faith institutions to guide how cases of GBV are handled, noting that while some sectors like health have safeguarding systems in place, many worship spaces do not.
Another major concern she raised is the lack of access to information. Even where policies exist, they are often not known or understood by the general population. As a result, many victims do not know where to turn or what steps to take when they experience violence.
Bar Lamago Tenguh Cyrille of FIDAA
Providing a legal perspective, Barrister Lamago Tenguh Cyrille Francoise, General Coordinator of FIDAA, confirmed that cases of abuse within faith communities are real and sometimes severe. She noted that some incidents are often hidden, but legal action has been taken in certain cases, including those involving religious leaders.
She revealed that there have been prosecutions involving pastors and a Muslim cleric accused of serious crimes, including rape, with some of them currently serving prison sentences. According to her, this demonstrates that no one is above the law, regardless of their religious position.
At the same time, she emphasized the need for a balanced approach that combines justice with empathy. While perpetrators must be held accountable, she said there is also a need to understand underlying factors and promote moral values that can prevent such acts from occurring.
She also highlighted cases where vulnerable individuals seeking help from religious leaders are further exploited. In some instances, instead of receiving proper counselling or referrals, victims are asked to make financial contributions, which worsens their situation.
Both speakers welcomed the formation of a network led by the PEARL Foundation to bring together different actors in addressing GBV within faith communities. They believe that such collaboration will improve coordination, strengthen referral systems, and ensure better support for survivors.
Boyo Maurine
Adding her voice, Boyo Maurine, Co-founder and Executive Director of Youth Strong Cameroon, described gender justice as a missing element within many faith-based structures. She noted that while many issues affecting human dignity occur within these spaces, they are often ignored or hidden, particularly those affecting women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
She stressed that gender justice is urgently needed, especially in a context where many people have suffered violence, neglect, or discrimination. According to her, some religious institutions lack proper systems to handle such cases, while others have policies that are not accessible to those who need them most.
Maurine identified access to information as a key challenge, noting that even when policies exist, they are not readily available to the general public. This limits the ability of victims to seek help or justice in a timely manner.
Stakeholders concluded that addressing gender-based violence within faith communities requires a collective effort involving religious leaders, civil society organizations, and government institutions. They emphasized the need for clear policies, increased awareness, and stronger collaboration to ensure that places of worship become safe and supportive environments for all.
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