Sub-Saharan Africa at the centre of $8 million initiative to end violence against women and girls

Sub-Saharan Africa is at the centre of a new $8 million, four-year initiative to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, following a major grant awarded to Episcopal Relief & Development by the The Laura Ellen and Robert Muglia Family Foundation.

The funding will support expanded programming across five Sub-Saharan African countries ;Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Liberia and South Sudan with a target of reaching at least half a million people.

The initiative is designed to scale proven community-based approaches that address both the prevention of violence and support for survivors, positioning the region as the primary focus of a sustained, multi-year investment.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, sexual and gender-based violence remains a persistent crisis, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Women and girls often face heightened risks driven by displacement, entrenched gender inequality, poverty and weak protection systems.

In countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, decades of instability have compounded vulnerabilities, making prevention and response efforts both urgent and complex.

Through this strategic partnership, Episcopal Relief & Development will expand interventions that have already demonstrated impact.

The programme will equip faith leaders and other community influencers with the skills and tools to confront the root causes and drivers of violence.

By blending faith-based engagement with behavioural science, the initiative aims to challenge harmful attitudes and social norms, counter disinformation and dispel myths and stigma that frequently silence survivors and perpetuate abuse.

“We are pleased to be investing in these transformative programs led by Episcopal Relief & Development in Africa. The crisis of sexual and gender-based violence has been largely overlooked and under-resourced. Through this partnership, The Laura Ellen and Robert Muglia Family Foundation is empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and creating safer communities for women.”

The Laura Ellen and Robert Muglia Family Foundation has supported Episcopal Relief & Development since 2005, reflecting a two-decade partnership that has spanned humanitarian response, resilience building and long-term development programming.

Its mission “Empowering Transformation. Encouraging Innovation.” focuses on investing in initiatives that equip individuals and communities with the tools needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

For Episcopal Relief & Development, the new grant represents both continuity and scale.

The organisation works with an extensive network of faith and community partners and reaches more than three million people globally each year.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, faith institutions often serve as trusted pillars of community life, placing religious leaders in a powerful position to influence attitudes and behaviours.

“This partnership allows us to deepen our community-centered prevention work and expand evidence-based programming that addresses the root causes of violence. Together, we’re building safer communities where women and girls can thrive,” said Abagail Nelson, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer for Episcopal Relief & Development.

The programme’s focus on prevention reflects growing recognition that responding to violence after it occurs is not sufficient.

Sustainable change requires shifting social norms, strengthening local accountability and equipping communities to recognise and reject behaviours that harm women and girls.

By grounding its approach in both faith engagement and behavioural science, the initiative seeks to foster long-term transformation rather than short-term intervention.

“The Muglia family has made a transformative investment in God’s mission around the world,” said the Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.

“This expression of Christian charity will enable Episcopal Relief & Development to significantly scale up its innovative and impactful work to promote equality and women’s empowerment. Their gift is an example to all that supporting God’s work, as we are able, has an enduring impact.”

In addition to reducing violence against women and girls, Episcopal Relief & Development’s broader work focuses on nurturing caregivers and young children, strengthening resilience to climate change and facilitating humanitarian responses to disasters.

In many Sub-Saharan African contexts, these priorities are deeply interconnected. Climate shocks, economic stress and conflict can intensify gender inequalities and increase exposure to violence, making integrated approaches essential.

By anchoring this $8 million commitment in Sub-Saharan Africa, the partnership underscores the region’s central role in global efforts to address gender-based violence.

Over the next four years, the programme aims not only to reach half a million people but to strengthen community systems that protect women and girls, amplify survivor voices, and promote equality.