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Georgetown University

Gender

Women's and girls' empowerment is a central theme in the field of development, but the role of religion in shaping gender roles is often viewed with suspicion or contention. Patriarchy exists within some religious traditions, alongside many women and men, however, who work actively for gender equality within religious traditions. Faith resources also serve as a reference point for gender norms and expectations.
A Promise Renewed to End Preventable Child Deaths and Support Mothers
Project
Faith and International Family Planning
Faith and International Family Planning
Project
Women, Religion, and the Family
Women, Religion, and the Family
Project
Looking Through Gender Lenses at COVID-19's Impact: Religious and Ethical Perspectives
March 25, 2021
Woman and Baby in Senegalese Mosque
Religious Beliefs and Practices: Roles in Decision-Making about Family Welfare in the Sahel
January 23, 2018
Exchange Visit to Guinea by Senegalese Faith Leaders
Exchange Visit to Guinea by Senegalese Faith Leaders
November 7, 2016
Exchange Visit to Mauritania by Senegalese Faith Leaders
Exchange Visit to Mauritania by Senegalese Faith Leaders
April 12, 2016
Religion and Feminism: Is Religion an Obstacle or Opportunity for Women’s Empowerment?
March 19, 2016
Faith and Education: Contestations around the Madrasa in Bangladesh
March 12, 2016
Woman with Two Children in Guatemala
Policy Consultation: The Role of Religion in Guatemala's Health Sector
February 26, 2016
Women, Religion, Violence, and Peace: Illuminating What’s Not Seen
Women, Religion, Violence, and Peace: Illuminating What’s Not Seen
October 6, 2015
Workshop on Global Development and Religion in Guatemala
Workshop on Global Development and Religion in Guatemala
September 28, 2015
Women's Empowerment, Gender Justice, and Religion
Women's Empowerment, Gender Justice, and Religion
May 16, 2015
Maternal and Infant Health, a National Issue: Religious Leaders Mobilize for Family Well-Being
Maternal and Infant Health, a National Issue: Religious Leaders Mobilize for Family Well-Being
March 11, 2015
Malaysia Womens' Rights Protest
Religious Communities and Responses to Sexual Violence
February 12, 2015
Challenges to Gender Equality in the Global Agenda
Challenges to Gender Equality in the Global Agenda
January 20, 2015
Visit to Morocco by Senegalese Religious Leaders to Review Family Planning Activities
Visit to Morocco by Senegalese Religious Leaders to Review Family Planning Activities
November 16, 2014
Religion and Dating: What's Faith Got to Do with It?
Religion and Dating: What's Faith Got to Do with It?
October 14, 2014
Faith and Feminism: A Critical Conversation
Faith and Feminism: A Critical Conversation
September 24, 2014
Faith and Women’s Role in Community and Family Health in Africa
Faith and Women’s Role in Community and Family Health in Africa
February 12, 2014
"Faith and International Family Planning" Report Launch
"Faith and International Family Planning" Report Launch
February 10, 2014
Faith Communities’ Promise Renewed: Ending Preventable Child Deaths, Supporting Mothers
Faith Communities’ Promise Renewed: Ending Preventable Child Deaths, Supporting Mothers
October 10, 2013
Faith Efforts Against Human Trafficking in Cambodia
Faith Efforts Against Human Trafficking in Cambodia
April 23, 2013
The Light in Her Eyes
The Light in Her Eyes
February 13, 2013
Women's Religious Peacebuilding Symposium
Women's Religious Peacebuilding Symposium
January 5, 2012
Engaging Faith-Based Organizations in the Response to Maternal Mortality
Engaging Faith-Based Organizations in the Response to Maternal Mortality
November 16, 2011
Consultation on Maternal Mortality
Consultation on Maternal Mortality
June 15, 2011
An Exchange on Women's Roles for Peace: Is Religion a Source of Strength or an Obstacle?
An Exchange on Women's Roles for Peace: Is Religion a Source of Strength or an Obstacle?
July 8, 2010
Consultation on Faith-Inspired Organizations and Development in Latin America
Consultation on Faith-Inspired Organizations and Development in Latin America
January 30, 2009
Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Bangladesh: What Roles for Faith-Inspired Actors?
April 28, 2022
Educating Girls and Countering Child Marriage in Bangladesh: Opportunities for Faith Engagement
Educating Girls and Countering Child Marriage in Bangladesh: Opportunities for Faith Engagement
August 10, 2021
Gender Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief in South and Southeast Asia
June 28, 2021
report cover
A Crisis of Rape in Bangladesh: Opportunities for Faith Engagement
February 22, 2021
Religion and Development in Mauritania
Religion and Development in Mauritania
April 15, 2020
Religion and Development in Niger
Religion and Development in Niger
March 30, 2020
Religion and Development in Guinea
Religion and Development in Guinea
February 28, 2020
The Impact of Ethnic and Religious Diversity on Nigeria's Development Priorities
The Impact of Ethnic and Religious Diversity on Nigeria's Development Priorities
February 28, 2020
Event Summary: Exchange Visit to Niger by Senegalese Faith Leaders
Event Summary: Exchange Visit to Niger by Senegalese Faith Leaders
January 31, 2018
Understanding Religious Influences on Family Planning: Findings from Monitoring and Evaluation in Senegal
Understanding Religious Influences on Family Planning: Findings from Monitoring and Evaluation in Senegal
July 31, 2017
Building Consensus for Family Planning Among Senegal's Faith Communities
Building Consensus for Family Planning Among Senegal's Faith Communities
July 24, 2017
Event Summary: Exchange Visit to Guinea by Senegalese Faith Leaders
Event Summary: Exchange Visit to Guinea by Senegalese Faith Leaders
December 1, 2016
Violence Against Women and Girls in Kenya: Roles of Religion
Violence Against Women and Girls in Kenya: Roles of Religion
August 29, 2016
Religion, Women's Health and Rights: Points of Contention and Paths of Opportunities
Religion, Women's Health and Rights: Points of Contention and Paths of Opportunities
May 20, 2016
Faith and Development in Focus: Senegal
Faith and Development in Focus: Senegal
May 2, 2016
Event Summary: Exchange Visit to Mauritania by Senegalese Faith Leaders
Event Summary: Exchange Visit to Mauritania by Senegalese Faith Leaders
April 30, 2016
Event Summary: Exploring Religion as Obstacle or Opportunity for Women's Empowerment
Event Summary: Exploring Religion as Obstacle or Opportunity for Women's Empowerment
March 31, 2016
Event Summary: Faith and Education: Contestations around the Madrasa in Bangladesh
Event Summary: Faith and Education: Contestations around the Madrasa in Bangladesh
March 12, 2016
Policy Brief: Women and Religion in Bangladesh
Policy Brief: Women and Religion in Bangladesh
December 15, 2015
Religion and Women’s Empowerment in Bangladesh
Religion and Women’s Empowerment in Bangladesh
November 15, 2015
Religious Engagement in Family Planning Policies
Religious Engagement in Family Planning Policies
October 15, 2015
Faith and Development in Focus: Bangladesh
Faith and Development in Focus: Bangladesh
October 1, 2015
Women, Religion, and Peacebuilding: Illuminating the Unseen
Women, Religion, and Peacebuilding: Illuminating the Unseen
September 15, 2015
A Brief Overview of Islam and Birth Spacing
A Brief Overview of Islam and Birth Spacing
September 1, 2015
Event Summary: Peace and Stability in Kenya
Event Summary: Peace and Stability in Kenya
August 22, 2015
Islamic Argumentation on Birth Spacing
Islamic Argumentation on Birth Spacing
July 1, 2015
Event Summary: Women's Empowerment, Gender Justice, and Religion in Bangladesh
Event Summary: Women's Empowerment, Gender Justice, and Religion in Bangladesh
May 16, 2015
Zainah Anwar Presentation: Speakers' Forum on Women's Empowerment, Gender Justice, and Religion
Zainah Anwar Presentation: Speakers' Forum on Women's Empowerment, Gender Justice, and Religion
May 16, 2015
Engaging Faith Leaders in Senegal to Promote Women’s and Family Health
Engaging Faith Leaders in Senegal to Promote Women’s and Family Health
April 27, 2015
Senegal’s Reproductive Health Challenge: Religious Dimensions and Engagement
Senegal’s Reproductive Health Challenge: Religious Dimensions and Engagement
April 27, 2015
Event Summary: Maternal and Child Health: Religious leaders mobilize for family well-being
Event Summary: Maternal and Child Health: Religious leaders mobilize for family well-being
March 11, 2015
Event Summary: Workshop on Global Development and Religion in Senegal
Event Summary: Workshop on Global Development and Religion in Senegal
February 6, 2015
Event Summary: Visit to Morocco by Senegalese Religious Leaders to Review Family Planning Activities
Event Summary: Visit to Morocco by Senegalese Religious Leaders to Review Family Planning Activities
November 1, 2014
Faith and International Family Planning
Faith and International Family Planning
February 10, 2014
Faith and International Family Planning - Policy Brief
Faith and International Family Planning - Policy Brief
February 10, 2014
Reducing Maternal Mortality in Cambodia: Faith Dimensions
Reducing Maternal Mortality in Cambodia: Faith Dimensions
January 17, 2014
Faith Communities' Promise Renewed: Ending Preventable Child Deaths and Supporting Mothers
Faith Communities' Promise Renewed: Ending Preventable Child Deaths and Supporting Mothers
December 1, 2013
Human Trafficking: Faith in Action in Cambodia
Human Trafficking: Faith in Action in Cambodia
January 15, 2013
Reducing Maternal Mortality: Roles for Faith-Linked Institutions and Communities
Reducing Maternal Mortality: Roles for Faith-Linked Institutions and Communities
January 1, 2013
Faith Roles in Cambodia's Efforts to Counter Trafficking in Persons
Faith Roles in Cambodia's Efforts to Counter Trafficking in Persons
October 15, 2012
Female Genital Cutting: Cultural, Religious, and Human Rights Dimensions of a Complex Development Issue
Female Genital Cutting: Cultural, Religious, and Human Rights Dimensions of a Complex Development Issue
March 15, 2012
Women, Religion, and Peace Interview Series
Women, Religion, and Peace Interview Series
February 29, 2012
"Women, Religion, and Peace: Exploring Experience, Probing Complexity" Meeting Report
"Women, Religion, and Peace: Exploring Experience, Probing Complexity" Meeting Report
January 6, 2012
Reducing Maternal Mortality: Actual and Potential Roles for Faith-linked Institutions and Communities
Reducing Maternal Mortality: Actual and Potential Roles for Faith-linked Institutions and Communities
November 10, 2011
"Faith and Maternal Mortality" Meeting Report
June 15, 2011
Women in Religious Peacebuilding
Women in Religious Peacebuilding
May 1, 2011
Women, Religion, and Peace: Meeting Report
July 8, 2010
Global Development and Faith-Inspired Organizations in Latin America: Meeting Report
Global Development and Faith-Inspired Organizations in Latin America: Meeting Report
January 30, 2009
Inspired by Faith: A Background Report "Mapping" Social Economic Development Work in the Muslim World
Inspired by Faith: A Background Report "Mapping" Social Economic Development Work in the Muslim World
January 1, 2008
Report of the Symposium on Global Development and Faith-Inspired Organizations in the Muslim World
Report of the Symposium on Global Development and Faith-Inspired Organizations in the Muslim World
December 17, 2007
Mapping the Role of Faith Communities in Development Policy: The U.S. Case in International Perspective
Mapping the Role of Faith Communities in Development Policy: The U.S. Case in International Perspective
April 1, 2007
Panel Comments: On the Significance of Upholding Human Rights, Fostering Women's Roles, and Acknowledging Tensions Around LGBT Rights
July 9, 2015
GBV in Bangladesh: What roles can faith-inspired and secular actors play?
GBV in Bangladesh: What roles can faith-inspired and secular actors play?
May 9, 2022
COVID-19’s “Shadow Pandemic” Driving Early Marriage
COVID-19’s “Shadow Pandemic” Driving Early Marriage
July 29, 2020
Mother with child in Bangladesh
Milk Banks for Premature Babies: Religious Debates in Bangladesh
June 11, 2020
Women Countering Violent Extremism: Under the Radar?
Women Countering Violent Extremism: Under the Radar?
February 22, 2016
Girls Cut Down: Working to stop FGM in Kenya
Girls Cut Down: Working to stop FGM in Kenya
February 6, 2016
Faith at the UN Commission on the Status of Women
Faith at the UN Commission on the Status of Women
March 19, 2015
Pchum Ben Provokes Questions on Faith Roles in Gender Equality and Maternal Health
Pchum Ben Provokes Questions on Faith Roles in Gender Equality and Maternal Health
September 30, 2011
Cambodia’s “Quiet Movement”: Buddhist Women in Development
Cambodia’s “Quiet Movement”: Buddhist Women in Development
May 2, 2011
A Discussion with Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké, President of WILDAF Mali (Women in Law and Development in Africa)
A Discussion with Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké, President of WILDAF Mali (Women in Law and Development in Africa)
July 6, 2017
A Discussion with Gina Messina, Co-Author of Faithfully Feminist
A Discussion with Gina Messina, Co-Author of Faithfully Feminist
May 25, 2016
A Discussion with Andrea Santos, Project Coordinator, ALIANMISAR Guatemala
February 27, 2016
A Discussion with Layli Miller-Muro, Tahirih Justice Center
A Discussion with Layli Miller-Muro, Tahirih Justice Center
January 5, 2016
A Discussion with Simona Rovelli, Program Coordinator, Entre Mundos
A Discussion with Simona Rovelli, Program Coordinator, Entre Mundos
November 16, 2015
A Discussion with Rachael Shenyo, USAID Western Highlands Integrated Program Coordinator in Guatemala
A Discussion with Rachael Shenyo, USAID Western Highlands Integrated Program Coordinator in Guatemala
November 13, 2015
A Discussion with Jacqueline Mutere, Founder and Director of Grace Agenda
A Discussion with Jacqueline Mutere, Founder and Director of Grace Agenda
June 3, 2015
Student Session: Speakers' Forum on Gender, Justice, and Religion at BRAC University
Student Session: Speakers' Forum on Gender, Justice, and Religion at BRAC University
May 17, 2015
A Discussion with Sr. Ephigenia Gachiri, IVBM, Stop FGM
A Discussion with Sr. Ephigenia Gachiri, IVBM, Stop FGM
April 23, 2015
A Discussion with Esther Mombo, St. Paul’s University
A Discussion with Esther Mombo, St. Paul’s University
April 16, 2015
A Discussion with Penda Mbow, Associate Professor of History at Cheikh Anta Diop University
A Discussion with Penda Mbow, Associate Professor of History at Cheikh Anta Diop University
February 9, 2015
A Discussion with Seyda Rokhaya Ibrahima Niass, Islamic Scholar and Woman Religious Leader in the Tijaniyya Sufi Order, Senegal
A Discussion with Seyda Rokhaya Ibrahima Niass, Islamic Scholar and Woman Religious Leader in the Tijaniyya Sufi Order, Senegal
February 8, 2015
A Discussion with Kamala Chandrakirana, Indonesian Advocate for Human Rights, Justice and Democracy
A Discussion with Kamala Chandrakirana, Indonesian Advocate for Human Rights, Justice and Democracy
January 23, 2015
A Discussion with Antony Sasaka, Chemichemi Ya Ukweli
A Discussion with Antony Sasaka, Chemichemi Ya Ukweli
November 19, 2014
A Discussion with Wasye Munanie Musyoni, Norwegian Church Aid Kenya
A Discussion with Wasye Munanie Musyoni, Norwegian Church Aid Kenya
November 18, 2014
A Discussion with Adja Arame Dite Aminata Seck, Member of the Superior Islamic Council of Senegal
A Discussion with Adja Arame Dite Aminata Seck, Member of the Superior Islamic Council of Senegal
November 18, 2014
A Discussion with Joyce Muraya, Kenya Country Director of Amani Ya Juu
A Discussion with Joyce Muraya, Kenya Country Director of Amani Ya Juu
November 15, 2014
A Discussion with Abdulhamid Sakar, Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance
A Discussion with Abdulhamid Sakar, Kenya Muslim Youth Alliance
November 13, 2014
A Discussion with Cecilia Kavita and John Katee, HIAS Kenya
A Discussion with Cecilia Kavita and John Katee, HIAS Kenya
November 13, 2014
A Discussion with Jane Kihungi, Coordinator of Women Challenged to Challenge
A Discussion with Jane Kihungi, Coordinator of Women Challenged to Challenge
November 11, 2014
A Discussion with Wanjala Wafula, Founder of the Coexist Initiative, Kenya
A Discussion with Wanjala Wafula, Founder of the Coexist Initiative, Kenya
November 11, 2014
A Discussion with Abdul Kassim, Founder of the Kibera Girls' Soccer Academy
A Discussion with Abdul Kassim, Founder of the Kibera Girls' Soccer Academy
October 31, 2014
A Discussion with Mary Nyangweso, Associate Professor in Religious Studies, East Carolina University
A Discussion with Mary Nyangweso, Associate Professor in Religious Studies, East Carolina University
October 21, 2014
A Discussion with Landerson Santana, Country Director of ADRA Bangladesh
A Discussion with Landerson Santana, Country Director of ADRA Bangladesh
August 10, 2014
A Discussion with Safietou Diop, President of the Women’s Collective to Defend the Family (COFDEF)
A Discussion with Safietou Diop, President of the Women’s Collective to Defend the Family (COFDEF)
July 22, 2014
A Discussion with Michael Roy, Asia Facilitator, Anglican Alliance
A Discussion with Michael Roy, Asia Facilitator, Anglican Alliance
June 25, 2014
A Discussion with Rosalina Tuyuc Velásquez, Mayan Human Rights Activist and Recipient of the 2012 Niwano Peace Prize
A Discussion with Rosalina Tuyuc Velásquez, Mayan Human Rights Activist and Recipient of the 2012 Niwano Peace Prize
May 10, 2012
A Discussion with James Pond, Executive Director of Transitions Global
A Discussion with James Pond, Executive Director of Transitions Global
February 2, 2011
A Discussion with Farina So, Documentation Center of Cambodia
A Discussion with Farina So, Documentation Center of Cambodia
December 10, 2010
A Discussion with Agneta Dau Valler, Country Representative for Cambodia, Church World Service
July 30, 2010
Agneta Dau Valler
Safietou Diop
Safietou Diop
Ephigenia Gachiri
Ephigenia Gachiri
Abdul Kassim
Abdul Kassim
John Katee
John Katee
Cecilia Kavita
Cecilia Kavita
Jane Kihungi
Jane Kihungi
Penda Mbow
Penda Mbow
Muhammad Mezbah-ul-Islam
Muhammad Mezbah-ul-Islam
Wasye Munanie Musyoni
Wasye Munanie Musyoni
Jacqueline Mutere
Jacqueline Mutere
Seyda Rokhaya Ibrahima Niass
Seyda Rokhaya Ibrahima Niass
Mary Nyangweso
Mary Nyangweso
James Pond
James Pond
Michael Roy
Michael Roy
Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké
Bouaré Bintou Founé Samaké
Landerson Serpa Santana
Landerson Serpa Santana
Andrea Santos
Antony Jami Sasaka
Antony Jami Sasaka
Adja Arame Seck
Adja Arame Seck
Rachael Shenyo
Rachael Shenyo
Farina So
Farina So
Hadja Mariama Sow
Hadja Mariama Sow
Rosalina Tuyuc Velásquez
Rosalina Tuyuc Velásquez
Wanjala Wafula
Wanjala Wafula