Orientation: The role of religion in contributing to violence against women and girls and its consequences

This orientation chapter introduces the second part of the volume, which is centred on the role of religion in contributing to violence against women and girls (VAWG) and its consequences. Religious ideas, religious practices, religious organisation and religious experiences can shape women’s and girls’ vulnerability and risks to violence. First, each resource is discussed in relation to the potential of compounding risks of VAWG. An outline of the three chapters of Part III is provided. In Chapter 3, Le Roux draws upon her analysis of extensive research, focusing on three specific studies in particular: a 2010 study in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Liberia, a multi-country study conducted in 2018 and a 2018–2019 study in Zambia. A methodological summary of these three studies is offered. In Chapter 4, Pertek draws on her PhD research projects in Turkey and Tunisia and her vast experiences and reflections as a gender and social development practitioner at Islamic Relief Worldwide and in collaboration with Islamic Relief Ethiopia, in particular on a gender study and pilot gender-based project in the Dekasuftu Woreda. Methodological overview of both studies is provided. Part II concludes with a joint reflection (in Chapter 5) on the adverse contribution of religion to VAWG.