At the Imago Dei Fund, we are motivated by our faith and believe deeply in the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, made in the image of God. However, when it comes to gender equality, we also recognize that, all too often, faith actors around the world embody and defend patriarchy. Yet many faith leaders are setting a new course, reimagining traditional interpretations of sacred texts to model and advocate for gender justice in their communities.
Inspired by our partners, last year we published Good Faith Approaches to Gender Equality: How Investing in Faith-Centered Approaches to Shifting Social Norms Creates Lasting Change for Women and Girls. This report highlights examples of faith as a force for good. Drawing on the experiences and insights of six of our grantee partners—Beyond Borders, Institute for Faith and Gender Empowerment (IFAGE), Kupenda for the Children, Raising Voices, Tearfund, and World Vision—it explores how engaging faith communities can help shift harmful social norms and open powerful pathways for lasting change for women and girls.
Earlier this month, we hosted our Good Faith Approaches to Gender Equality webinar to highlight key findings and recommendations from the report. The webinar began with a short video and included a robust discussion featuring leaders from all six case study partners as well as philanthropic leaders. Through the webinar, the Imago Dei team sought to elevate the voices of our partners who’ve been doing the work on the front lines and over the long haul, to bring the key ingredients of good faith approaches to life through their first-hand testimonials and real-world examples, and to underscore the significant, lasting impact of such approaches on women and girls, their families, and their communities. The webinar also shined a light on the importance of patient, flexible funding for this kind of work and how funders can best partner with organizations doing the work, including appreciating the need for locally-led solutions and continuous learning and adaptation to different and evolving local contexts.
We were delighted by the positive response and humbled that over 400 people registered representing a wide range of civil society and funding organizations. Based on feedback, participants were inspired by the case study partners and the key takeaways related to funding and implementing good faith approaches. One key takeaway that resonated with many is that the same religious structures that sustain inequality contain the best resources to dismantle it. Our partners’ work demonstrates that faith leaders, when engaged in a way that honors, respects, and speaks most deeply to them, can be transformed and become a powerful force for good!
Imago Dei is organizing a number of follow-up conversations, through various forums and networks, to spread the word on the important and impactful work our case study partners and many others in our portfolio are doing at the intersection of faith and gender justice. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’re interested in learning more!
