Wamue-Ngare, G., Warren, M. A., & Torjesen, K. J. (2021). Combating gender-based violence and fostering women’s well-being: Religion as a tool for achieving sustainable development goals in Congo. In Popescu, C. R. (Ed.). Novel Practices and Current Successes in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. IGI Global Publishers.

Gender-based violence (GBV) and its threat to women’s well-being is an insidious and widespread challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Cultural beliefs about gender roles and sexuality, and religious teachings on marriage, masculinity, and femininity make interventions on GBV in the DRC difficult. This chapter examines a faith-based intervention, ‘The Tamar Campaign,’ which sought to align the strengths underpinning religion and culture. Findings revealed that participants of the Tamar Campaign reported 1) low prevalence of GBV four years after the intervention as compared to results of previous studies in the region, 2) positive effect of the intervention on marital satisfaction, and 3) engaging in activism alongside their family and community to combat GBV. This study thus offers initial evidence for faith-based interventions in not only reducing gender-based violence but also holistically improving women’s overall well-being.

* Leslie Aguilar, BA International Business student, assisted in conducting some literature review to address specific questions during the peer review process.