What does it take to turn faith into a force for gender justice?

For communities working to challenge inequality, harmful social norms and violence, having the right intentions is not enough. Change requires reflection, learning, relationships and the courage to keep asking whether we are doing enough and whether we can do things differently.

This was the spirit behind a regional gathering in Kpalimé, Togo, where faith leaders, young and women leaders, faith-based organisations, partners and community actors from Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal came together from 17–21 August to reflect on the journey of the Faith Movement for Justice (FM4J) and consider what comes next.

At the heart of the gathering was a simple but important question:

What have we learned from the work so far, and how can that learning help build stronger action for gender justice?

Why faith matters in the conversation

Gender justice is not a women’s issue. It is a shared responsibility.

It requires women and men, young people, traditional leaders, faith leaders and communities to question the beliefs and practices that shape people’s lives and relationships.

Faith has a particularly important role to play.

Faith communities influence how people understand dignity, family, relationships, responsibility and care. Faith leaders are often trusted voices within their communities, giving them an opportunity not only to respond when injustice occurs, but to help prevent it by challenging the attitudes and social norms that allow inequality to persist.

As one of the opening reflections at the gathering emphasised, faith provides a way for communities to learn, protect, seek and love. Seen in this way, the pursuit of gender justice is not separate from faith. It is an expression of the values at the heart of it.

From learning to collective action

The gathering moved beyond reviewing project achievements. Participants explored what has worked across different country contexts, the challenges that continue to limit progress on gender justice, and how faith actors can strengthen their collective contribution to social transformation.

Through country experience-sharing, panel discussions, group work and strategic reflection, participants identified good practices, lessons learned and opportunities for strengthening collaboration among faith actors across the region. The discussions also focused on resource mobilisation, network strengthening, advocacy and communication as priorities for sustaining the movement beyond 2026.

As the workshop opened, participants were reminded that capitalization is about more than documenting achievements. It is about understanding what has worked, learning from challenges and carrying those lessons forward.

To capitalize means to recognize what has worked. What strategies have transformed lives? What voices have we amplified? What doors have we opened?

The workshop created space for honest reflection, shared learning and a renewed commitment to collective action.

A joint declaration for gender justice and sacred equity

One of the defining outcomes of the gathering was the adoption of the Joint Interfaith Declaration on Gender Justice and Sacred Equity by Christian and Islamic faith leaders and participants from Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal.

The declaration acknowledges that gender inequality, violence and discrimination remain realities within communities and that these injustices contradict core values shared across faith traditions, including compassion, justice, mercy and love.

Through the declaration, faith leaders collectively affirmed that every person has inherent spiritual value and that no individual is superior or subordinate because of gender. They also affirmed the right of all people to safety and freedom from violence, as well as the importance of equal participation in leadership and decision-making.

The declaration further calls for:

• Sacred equality — recognising the equal dignity and worth of women, men, girls and boys.
• Gender equity — promoting equal access to safety, education, health, leadership and economic opportunities.
• Zero tolerance for violence — rejecting all forms of gender-based violence, harmful practices, silence and complicity.
• Positive masculinity — engaging boys and men as allies, protectors and partners in creating respectful and caring families and communities.
• Interfaith solidarity — recognising that gender justice transcends religious boundaries and requires collective action.

Turning commitments into action

The declaration translates these principles into commitments that can be taken forward within faith communities and beyond.

Faith leaders committed to strengthening teaching and preaching on equality and dignity within places of worship; creating safe spaces and strengthening support, counselling and referral mechanisms for survivors of gender injustice; advocating for laws and policies that protect vulnerable people; and mentoring the next generation in values of respect, partnership and sacred responsibility.

The declaration closes with a call to faith communities, traditional institutions, civil society, faith-based organisations and governments to embrace its principles, examine their own practices and become active agents of equality, healing and equity.

Looking beyond 2026

The Kpalimé workshop also looked ahead.

Participants developed a shared vision for the future of faith-led action on gender justice and considered mechanisms for sustaining the gains of the FM4J project beyond its current implementation period. A post-2026 regional roadmap was developed as part of this process, alongside recommendations for continued collaboration, resource mobilisation, advocacy and network strengthening.

For Faith to Action Network, the workshop represents an important transition: from documenting what the Faith Movement for Justice has achieved to strengthening the relationships, commitments and structures needed to carry the movement forward.

Celebrating those leading the change

The gathering also provided an opportunity to recognise members, partners and gender justice champions whose contributions have helped advance the movement. The recognition ceremony and Awards of Excellence celebrated the commitment of actors working to promote more just, inclusive and equitable communities.

The Kpalimé gathering closed with a shared conviction: gender justice is both a collective responsibility and a call to action.

The declaration is therefore not simply a statement of belief. It is an invitation to translate faith into action in places of worship, in families, in communities and in public life.

The movement continues.