Contribution Of Women’s Religious Organizations To Peace building And The Promotion Of Gender Justice In The Sebei Sub-Region

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of women’s religious organizations to peace building and the promotion of gender justice in the Sebei sub-region. Recognizing the central role that faith-based women’s groups play in shaping social norms, resolving conflicts, and advocating for equitable treatment across gender identities, the research investigates how organized religious women’s networks influence community cohesion, conflict transformation, and gender-inclusive policy discourse. The study population comprised adult women and community stakeholders in the Sebei sub-region, drawn from diverse religious affiliations and local governance structures. A total of 100 respondents were selected through purposive and stratified sampling techniques to ensure representation across age groups, religious denominations, and organizational leadership positions. The main objective was to assess how women’s religious organizations contribute to peace building initiatives and promote gender justice within family, community, and institutional settings. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and supplemented by key informant interviews, then analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings reveal that women’s religious organizations in the Sebei sub-region significantly facilitate dialogue between conflicting parties, lead community reconciliation efforts, and champion gender justice through ethical teachings, advocacy campaigns, and support services for survivors of gender-based violence.  The conclusions indicated that women’s religious organizations are pivotal actors in both peace building and gender justice promotion, functioning as bridges between traditional authority, religious moral frameworks, and modern human rights ideals. However, constraints such as limited resources, patriarchal resistance, and insufficient institutional support can undermine their impact. Based on the findings, recommendations include: strengthening capacity-building programs for women religious leaders; fostering inter-faith collaboration on peace and gender justice agendas; integrating faith-based approaches into formal conflict-resolution frameworks; and supporting policy reform that encourages equitable participation of women in decision-making at community and regional levels. These measures can enhance the transformative potential of women’s religious organizations in promoting peaceful coexistence and gender justice in the Sebei sub-region.