Behind the Numbers: Intersectional Negotiations in Gender-transformative Programmes with Religious Leaders in Southern Africa

Abstract

This article examines gender-transformative programmes that seek to engage religious leaders in gender-based violence prevention across southern African countries. It focuses on the ‘gender-transformative’ paradigm implemented by an international South-African NGO, in collaboration with local and global organizations. On the basis of two years of ethnographic fieldwork, the research uncovers local dynamics that challenge the effectiveness of existing strategies, highlighting intersectional negotiations and decolonial narratives framing the transformation of gender roles within religious communities. The article provides evidence that emphasizes the significance of recognizing intersectional power dynamics related to participants’ age, gender, language and religious rank in gender-transformative programmes.