NSJC concluded this year’s 16 Days of Activism with a strong focus on partnership with faith leaders, recognizing their unique influence in shaping attitudes, narratives, and community responses to violence and injustice. On 9th December, the team held a sensitization forum with religious leaders at Achego Village, building on earlier activities carried out during the campaign period.
Deepening the 16 Days of Activism with Faith Leaders
As the 16 Days of Activism drew to a close, Nyando Social Justice Center brought together religious leaders from Achego and surrounding areas for a dialogue on rights, protection, and accountability. The session focused on helping faith leaders understand both their rights and their responsibilities within the human rights framework, especially in the context of preventing and responding to gender-based violence and other forms of abuse.
Participants reflected on how harmful norms, silence, or victim-blaming can sometimes be reinforced from the pulpit or within congregations, and how faith spaces can instead become safe, affirming places for survivors. The discussion also covered freedom of worship, the right to organize, and the importance of speaking out without fear when injustice occurs in the community.
Equipping Religious Leaders as Rights Champions
During the Achego forum, religious leaders were taken through practical ways they can promote human rights and dignity in their daily ministry, including:
- Integrating messages on equality, non-violence, and respect into sermons and teachings
- Offering confidential support and referral pathways for survivors of violence and abuse
- Challenging stigmatizing language and practices within their congregations
- Engaging local authorities when rights violations occur
Leaders were encouraged to see themselves not only as spiritual guides but also as community rights champions who can stand with survivors, support peaceful conflict resolution, and defend those whose voices are often ignored.
Carrying the Spirit of 16 Days Beyond the Campaign
This Achego engagement served as a meaningful bridge between the formal end of the 16 Days of Activism and the ongoing work that must continue throughout the year. By closing the campaign period in dialogue with religious leaders, Nyando Social Justice Center reaffirmed its belief that sustainable change comes from within communities, through those whom people trust most.
The conversations in Achego Village marked a new step in collaboration, with faith leaders expressing willingness to continue partnering with Nyando Social Justice Center in awareness creation, referrals, and advocacy. As the 16 days end, the commitment to stand against violence, uphold human dignity, and promote justice remains active in our places of worship, homes, and public spaces.
Nyando Social Justice Center looks forward to strengthening this partnership with religious leaders in Achego and beyond, ensuring that the message of “No more violence, uphold rights for all” lives on well past the campaign calendar.