Challenges and solutions to building relationships between faith & traditional leaders and women & youth groups
How can we ensure to build meaningful collaboration between faith and traditional leaders and women and youth groups? The Network’s Inclusivity Community of Practice outlined challenges they commonly face with this level of engagement and offered proposed solutions!
Challenges that prevent collaborative relationships between faith and traditional leaders and women and youth groups
Power dynamics
There is a lack of space that allows for equal-based encounters of conversations between faith and traditional leaders with women and youth. Current systems in place do not allow for women and youth to fully participate.
Polarization on issues
There is a lack of conversation with conservative and centralized forms of interpretations of religions which fail to raise awareness on the importance of being inclusive in one’s work.
Absence of trust
There is a lack of trust between faith and traditional leaders and women and youth, which greatly hinders effective peacebuilding processes. Politics is increasingly affecting these relationships, which is creating a greater environment of misunderstanding one another’s intentions
Solutions to building collaborative relationships between faith and traditional leaders and women and youth groups
One-on-one
One-on-one meetings oftentimes offer an opportunity to develop more in-depth conversations which leads to being more empathetic and understanding of both parties.
Create and conduct community trust-building initiatives
Create opportunities in your local context to build trust between different stakeholders through sharing common experiences and challenges you are facing. Use language and values that are recognized and accepted by both parties to offer an opportunity for greater collaboration.
Be inclusive and offer safe spaces in all effects
Both faith and traditional leaders and women and youth need to include each other from the start of decision-making processes for collaboration. Ensure the collaborative space is a safe space for open dialogue and open-mindedness.
Network
Seek allies from other faith traditions. This has the potential to shift power dynamics and continue to advocate inclusivity holistically.
“There are no hierarchies in human rights. We should not allow power imbalances to get in the way of recognition and respect for common human dignity.”