Annette Musu Kiawu (center), National Director, ECLRD, with Muslim and Christian faith leaders
Episcopal Relief & Development received a $1,185,000 grant from Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) to scale its work to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in Liberia.
Transforming Harm, Restoring Integrity, Valuing Equality (THRIVE) was co-created with the Episcopal Church of Liberia Relief & Development (ECLRD) and aims to reduce violence against women and girls prevalence and risk in 32 rural Liberian communities and improve survivors’ access to essential support and services.
THRIVE builds directly upon our previous work with IRUSA and ECLRD in Liberia, through the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls project, which decreased violence experienced by women across the project communities and demonstrated the effectiveness of engaging Christian and Muslim faith leaders, together, as vital actors to prevent violence against women and girls and respond appropriately when it does occur.
THRIVE will work at the individual, household and community levels to address the root causes and drivers of violence. The program will utilize proven social and behavior change strategies to amplify the voices of trusted faith leaders and other community change agents such as traditional and youth leaders, shift norms that perpetuate harmful practices and unequal power dynamics and increase the adoption of behaviors and attitudes that promote women’s equality.
Additionally, the program will equip faith leaders to support survivors of violence in ways that prioritize their expressed needs, rights and safety and refer them to appropriate essential services, such as health and legal services.
By the end of the four year program, THRIVE will have engaged 85,000 people in support of equality and communities where women and girls feel safe, supported and empowered.
“The work that we’ve already done with IRUSA and ECLRD effectively bridged religion and behavioral science to form a culturally appropriate, community-led response to violence against women and girls,” said Nicole Hosein, Director of Women’s Initiatives for Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are so grateful for this renewed partnership with IRUSA to expand our work with communities to advance equality and social inclusion and to build more peaceful societies where everyone can thrive.”
“Islamic Relief USA has long valued partnering with Episcopal Relief & Development on this crucial program to decrease violence against women and girls in Liberia,” said a representative from IRUSA. “Violence is never tolerable or acceptable and this program has proven to be effective in fostering positive behaviors and values, helping reduce the number of violent incidents. We are proud to continue supporting this program.”
