Preventing and fighting GBV: The Church's stance

The Church is the body of believers in Christ, His  life,death, resurrection and return as essential points of belief. There are different denominations though, with doctrinal variations on what is considered non- essentials.

Gender Based Violence is any violence done to another physically, verbally, financially and emotionally. Violence is about control or having power over another. It's effect are by no means small. Some of this violence has led to death.  It happens to women and men, boys and girls. With statistics ,most gender based Violence is towards women and girls. Which means in most cases the men and boys are in positions of more power over their victims.

Gender Based Violence happens to the victim because of his or her gender. It can happen anywhere, in homes , schools, work places and even in churches. Because the church is made up of humans.   Normal every day humans.

Gender Based Violence  is a result of the sin nature, a far cry from what God intended for mankind at creation. So it is first a sin against God's law and nature and a sin against the victim and laws of the land.

Every member of the church should be seen as taking a clear stance against GBV. Not condoning, covering nor enabling it. 

GBV is everything in itself against the abundant Life that christians are meant to experience and point others to. For every time an abuser abuses the victim, that abundant Life is threatened and  will not be the experience of GBV victim. Be it a victim of rape, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, domestic violence etc.

Reality has it that the church is like a hospital where the sick come to, some are responding to treatment, some are not, some are the ones administering treatment to the sick.  The church has had it's share of GBV Cases. 

Things that have enabled GBV in the Church.

The silence culture on GBV has not helped matters even in the church. Talking about issues like this

might appear unspiritual  among a people who are  spiritual. Sweeping it under the carpet poses an easy way out.

Looking for help is difficult when members are taught that asking for help is like involving third parties into their relationships. So they close up and resort to silence. GBV thrives on silence.

Wrong interpretation and application of Scriptures has enabled GBV. Though no church will outrightly tell members to abuse others, silence , body language, and wrong interpretation of some scriptures can directly or indirectly enable GBV. Like not allowing women some rolls can saliently mean that women are less than men. Or telling a victim that her spouse abuses her because she does not submit enough.

.Lack of capacity and knowledge  to handle some GBV issues can lead to complications.When clergy and church workers are not trained to professionally handle issues ,they instead will pray about it or just tell the woman to be submissive to her husband while the problem rots .

Sometimes the perpetrator might be an influential person in church and so the church leadership might turn a blind eye to the abuse going on in fear of not loosing the membership of the perpetrator.

Bible's stance on GBV.

There is no where in scriptures that supports GBV. The Bible upholds Justice and liberation as what Jesus came to do. God rebukes the treacherous husband who puts away the wife of his youth. The Bible also does not  promote inequality in anyway as it states that both male and female are created in the image and likeness of God. It states that in Christ, there is no male nor female ,Greek nor Jew. All are one in Christ. The redemption a man gets in Christ is no different or of higher grade than that of a woman.

Jesus through His ministry broke the traditional and societal  patriarchal rules on women. He worked with women and choose to share the first news of His ressurection to women! He respected their rights like the woman caught in adultery, He accepted help from them as sponsors of His ministry. He challenged leaders who preferred to keep the people captive with their powers. 

Christians should be seen towing that line as those upholding the cause of the vulnerable, helping the abuse to heal, speaking against GBV. Victims should never be victimized.  Their stories should never be down played or minimized as most victims will not tell "all".  They should not feel condemned for what they are going through. They have guilt tripped themselves already in most cases. Churches should talk loudly about what GBV is , condemning it and be proactive in preventing it.  When abusers are found in the church, it should be professionally handled and handed over to appropriate agencies. 

Because GBV is something God does not approve of, it should not be approved of by the church no matter who is involved.

Members should see the church as safe spaces where they can find help and not be stigmatized as inferior christians because of their problems. They should feel it it safe to open up.

The Church must be at the fore front advocating for women and girls' rights if it must live up to it tenenths. It has been called out to be salt and light to the world so it can not cover the darkness that GBV creates, it has no choice but be vocal against GBV, provide healing to the victims and help in preventing it's occurrences.

Steorotypes that do not promote dignity of every one and equality should be examined. Young people in church should be taught self esteem, consent, and respect for others. Gender roles that portray women and girls as second class or inferior most be brought down. The Church must walk the talk on caring for the wounded and upholding the cause of the downtrodden.