ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on gender-based violence (GBV) in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, with findings based upon research for an evaluation of a project to reduce GBV through engagement with religious leaders. The research presents the impact of faith leaders in promoting gender-equitable attitudes and behaviours and appropriate approaches and responses to GBV in their communities and churches. It highlights the role they can play in increasing awareness and access to survivor-centred responses. The case study outlined in this chapter, based on a World Vision Australia three-country project to reduce GBV in Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu through engaging religious leaders, examined the role of faith leaders in addressing GBV in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, and the dynamic between faith leaders, their communities, and GBV survivors and service providers. The research concludes that faith leaders, if given the proper resources and support, can play a pivotal role in promoting gender-equitable attitudes and behaviours, as well as appropriate responses to GBV in their communities and churches. If properly informed and equipped they can provide enhanced awareness of and access to survivor-centred responses to GBV and can also connect individuals and communities to formal service providers.
