Panel Addresses Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Combating Violence Against Women and Girls

(L-R): Krisy Moore (BIC Intern), Fulya Vekiloglu (BIC Representative), Pamela Delargy (UNFPA), Marc-Andre Dorel (DESA), Lisa Locke (World Conference of Religions for Peace), Vasu Mohan (BIC/International Foundation for Electoral Systems)

On December 4th 2008, the Baha'i International Community hosted a panel discussion on "The Role and Value of Faith-Based Organizations in Combating Violence against Women and Girls" at the United Nations Headquarters. This discussion is one of many initiatives taking place around the world that mark the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which culminate on Human Rights Day, December 10th. Pamela Delargy, Chief of The United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) Humanitarian Response Branch, moderated the compelling discussion which included Marc-Andre Dorel, the Program Officer for ECOSOC Support and Coordination Department of Economic and Social Affairs; Lisa Locke, Director of Institutional Support for the World Conference of Religions for Peace, Women, Faith and Development Alliance (WFDA); and Vasu Mohan, Deputy Director IFES Europe and Asia, who also represented the Baha'i International Community on the panel.

Speaking to an audience of distinguished representatives of governments, UN agencies, NGOs and Faith-Based Organizations, Representative of the Baha'i International Community's United Nations Office, Fulya Vekiloglu stated that "the realization of the vital role that faith and religion can play in the lives and cultures of people in all regions has led to a growing emphasis on building partnerships with Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) in support of the United Nations efforts throughout the world".

Pamela Delargy opened the panel by reflecting on her own experiences witnessing the transformative power of FBOs in the post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Sierra Leone. Delargy explained that the UNFPA, which worked with the BIC to co-sponsor the panel discussion, is committed to working with FBOs on issues regarding women and adolescents because the organizations provide "a diverse perspective on issues that are so deeply embedded in social life". Panelist Marc-Andre Dorel acknowledged that "interfaith dialogue is increasingly on the UN agenda" and affirmed that "the empowerment of women is a means of reaching a higher level of cultural understanding." He further encouraged a "more human, moral and spiritual approach to development." Lisa Locke focused her presentation on the strategic linkages that the Women, Faith and Development Alliance is taking to combat violence against women. She emphasized that "the best way to end poverty and reach the Millennium Development Goals is to support the advancement of women."

Vasu Mohan captivated the audience with stories about the particular grassroots work of Baha'is in India. Mohan explained the ways in which the Indian Baha'i community is organizing and mobilizing women and men from all ages to engage in varying activities that address violence against women in their specific local contexts. Further drawing on his experiences working with women and men across India to end gender-based violence, Mohan declared "after many years of work, effort and money, there is still no holistic or real solution to the problem of violence against women". He addressed the need to create the spiritual and emotional environments that will enable both men and women to reach their full potential. He asked audience members to reflect on the deeper issues at hand and to understand "that there is something fundamentally wrong in our society that laws are failing to fix." In his closing statements, Vasu Mohan shared the Baha'i analogy of humanity as a bird with two wings: one male and one female. Only when each wing is strong, can the bird take flight.

Following the presentations, many questions were raised and an enthusiastic dialogue between panelists and audience members ensued. The role of men and boys in the elimination of violence against women, concepts of masculinity and the sustainability of faith-based organizations were some of the issues discussed. Audience members expressed their interest in exploring the topic further in the form of a  two-day interactive workshop. The Baha'i International Community looks forward to continuing its efforts to raise awareness and to collaborate with other groups on efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls.