The Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) has called on Anglican provinces, dioceses, and parishes across the continent to take bold and sustained stand against gender-based violence (GBV), describing it as a grievous sin and a hidden wound afflicting African societies and faith communities.
In a statement issued in Nairobi and addressed to Heads of Anglican Provinces, Dioceses and Parishes in Africa, CAPA urged the Church to move beyond silence to decisive action, especially during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed from November 25 to December 10.
The statement, signed by the Venerable J. W. Kofi deGRAFT-Johnson, General Secretary of CAPA, and sighted by the Ghana News Agency, said GBV continued to destroy the lives of countless women and girls, while also affecting boys and men who often suffered in silence, sometimes even within church communities.
“As we look ahead, we are called to reflect deeply on our mission as the Body of Christ in a world marred by violence and injustice,” the statement noted, adding that Churches across Africa were often the first and last refuge for survivors.
CAPA in the statement, explained that the 16 Days of Activism campaign aligned strongly with Christian teachings on justice, human dignity, and compassion, and provided a “sacred opportunity” for the Church to take a prophetic stand against violence and abuse.
It proposed the 2025 theme as “From Our House of God to Every Home: Ending Gender-Based Violence in Our Lifetime,” and called on Church leaders and congregations to demonstrate active faith through transformative action.
The statement urged clergy to use church pulpits to preach against all forms of violence and to promote respectful, equitable and loving relationships, noting that GBV was fuelled by unequal power relations and harmful cultural norms that often gave men dominance over women while silencing survivors.
“It is therefore imperative for the church to challenge these injustices in our preaching, teaching and community life in order to transform the attitudes and beliefs that sustain them,” the statement said.
CAPA further encouraged Anglican churches to empower women and girls, men and boys to recognise, prevent and respond to GBV, and called for Church halls to be made safe spaces for healing, dialogue, and learning.
It stressed the need to equip church leaders with the skills and wisdom to respond compassionately and effectively to survivors, and appealed to all provinces, dioceses, and parishes to implement education, protection, and empowerment initiatives.
To support the campaign, CAPA said it had prepared suggested programmes to guide churches in rolling out practical and sustainable interventions during and beyond the 16 Days of Activism.
The statement concluded with a prayerful call for renewed commitment, urging the Church in Africa to help build societies where women and girls could live without fear and where the love of Christ was reflected in concrete actions.
“May the Holy Spirit guide us as we seek to build a church and a society where all women and girls can live free from fear,” it said.
