Faith-Based Peacebuilding: The Need for a Gender Perspective

This report prepared by the Women’s Peacemakers Program, a branch of the interfaith International Fellowship for Reconciliation, describes the intersection between religion, faith, and peacemaking. The report features research by the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) on religious fundamentalism and women’s rights. This is followed by accounts from a number of female peacemakers and religious leaders on the strengths and challenges of being a woman actor in the field, as well as objectives of altering the patriarchal religious structures. The women highlight the way in which progressive male partners in peace work have been helpful in promoting their work in the faith-based world. The report concludes with suggestions for funding, resources, solidarity initiatives, and an international directory of organizations related to this work. The packet was compiled in observance of the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament.