The church wields significant power and influence within communities, fulfilling many functions beyond the spiritual nourishment of God’s flock. One of its key roles is shaping people’s identities and providing a safety net for the vulnerable. The Salvation Army continues this mission through its social and goodwill endeavours, including the Gender Justice Office, which is tasked with addressing gender based violence (GBV) in communities. With alarming statistics suggesting that a woman is murdered every three hours in South Africa, the call to action is urgent … not only for The Salvation Army but for the broader Church representing the body of Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 12, we are reminded of our interconnectedness and how we depend on one another. This resonates deeply with the words of our Founder, General William Booth, in his famous speech: “While Women Weep, I’ll fight.” The fight to end GBV in our communities must continue, and with the Church leading the call, more lives can be saved, both physically and spiritually.
It is important to note that while the state offers formal solutions, such as imprisonment for perpetrators of violence, these are often hindered by legal technicalities that the ordinary person struggles to understand. Access to justice can therefore feel out of reach. The Church, on the other hand, continues to provide practical solutions to real life problems, including spiritual and psychosocial counsel for those affected by GBV.
Through the Gender Justice Office, The Salvation Army is actively providing interventions that respond to local contexts to address GBV, promote stakeholder participation, and challenge the systemic and structural barriers that perpetuate violence. This includes intentional collaboration with institutions that address the far reaching impacts of GBV.
Because of their proximity to communities and families, churches are uniquely placed to respond effectively to GBV. It is vital that pastors, ministers, and other spiritual leaders are equipped and empowered to intervene in GBV cases through continuous capacity building, training, and mentoring. It is also widely accepted that churches are “shelters,” offering refuge to the abused and those in distress. This role can be leveraged to further entrench the Church’s place in addressing injustice and becoming a primary place of safety.
With GBV statistics on the rise, churches must continue to provide safe spaces that encourage healthy dialogue, strengthen families, and restore the moral fibre of society. When the Church remains silent or uninvolved, immorality and sin prevail, something we are seeing in our world today. The Church must play an active role in shaping society, and through its involvement, we can move towards justice, order, and the wellbeing of all. This is a call to action for every church to prioritise the wellness of their community as part of their mission.
The Salvation Army’s Gender Justice Office is an example of the Church taking proactive steps and offering long term solutions to a problem that has gripped our communities. We call upon leaders at all Corps, Centres and communities to support victims of GBV.
The Gender Justice Office can be reached via the Territorial Women’s Department or by telephone on 011 718 6727 or 011 718 6784 or 072 878 1369. Victims can also call the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428.