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Engaging Religious Men and Women Leaders in Empowering Women

Date of Meeting: 30 Oct 2015

Meeting Organizer: Muslims for Progressive Values

ISJC Staff Present: Captain Kathy Crombie, Robert Docter

Reporter: Robert Docter

Which SDG does this topic cover? 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16

Type of meeting: Peace Forum Event on #ImamsForShe

Brief summary of presentation of information made

  • Peace panel brought together Rosa Rogers (Filmmaker/Director of Casablanca Calling), Dr. Hind Jalal (UNFPA Morocco Program Specialist & Gender Mainstreaming), and Ani Zonneveld (President/Founder of Muslims for Progressive Values).
  • Faith-Based Organizations (FBO) have a lot to say regarding global issues; FBOs have tackled issues covered in the SDGs for years, and 8/10 on this Earth are part of a religion. One area FBOs can improve on is women rights; most religious leaders are men – 80% of leaders are men.
  • Panel previewed the documentary Casablanca Calling – showcasing female Muslim Morchidat for gender equality in Morocco; focusing on tolerance and compassion.
  • The Morchidat are trained and teach others by engaging religious leaders, empowering other women by encouraging girls to pursue education and to stand up against their fathers yet at the same time fight social norms that keep women disempowered.
  • Dr. Jalal shared UNFPA work in Morocco in combatting gender-based violence (GBV) and other crippling issues surrounding gender inequality (i.e. child marriages, education, etc.) – by establishing targets and communicating with religious leaders. They focused on fighting injustices by sensitizing boys & girls, prisoners, and girls/women in women centers – 62% of females experienced GBV in survey of Morocco in 2010, 20% of all marriages are child brides.
  • Ani Zonneveld detailed #Imamsforshe – advocating gender equality and methods of doing so in the 21st century global social structure. An Imam is a Muslim leader in mosque and is predominantly males. She advocates Imam’s who fight for equality.  

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?

  • There’s present action from FBOs in tackling gender inequality around the world. It’s encouraging that the Salvation Army hosts a variety of school for girls, girl homes, and other services for quite some time.
  • The panel discussion proposed a number of questions that raises consideration for The Salvation Army: Is senior leadership gender balanced - both in representation and participation? Are women of color in developed countries present in such processes? To what degree are The Salvation Army's demographics represented at an international leadership level?
  • Although many of our leaders are excellent and qualified, there’s room for TSA to make sure that opportunity and consideration for appointing leaders is equal to men and women.   
  • The Salvation Army can search for future links with organizations that work towards gender equality, and share details about TSA services for girls throughout the world. TSA can also learn from other FBOs in steps furthering towards gender equality. Learning from others is incredibly important in bettering the mission. This includes learning from other religions as well as spreading our knowledge and information to others.
  • Gender equality requires the efforts from both men and women. A joint group of TSA male leaders advocating for gender equality would be significant.  

Web links for more information

For trailer/movie: http://www.casablancacalling.com/

Tags: United Nations, SDG10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, SDG4: Quality Education, SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG5: Gender Equality, SDG3: Good Health and Well-Being