The contributions of Faith-Based Non-Governmental Organizations (FBNGOs) in addressing Gender-Related Issues via their project endeavour: The Case of ACT Alliance Member Organizations
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Date
2023-02-20
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research paper aimed to examine the role of a faith-based organization in addressing gender issues in Ethiopia. This research aimed to understand the role of religion via faithbased organizations, as to how they manage to address the gender issues in development work, and the challenges they face. A qualitative research design was used to achieve the research objective. For primary data collection, a semi-structured one-on-one in-depth interview was conducted, allowing the researcher to consider the voice of each organization's representatives in addition to the forum coordinator. Purposeful sampling was used, and the target group for this research paper was gender-focal persons, directors and program staff. To get in-depth knowledge about the challenges each organization face while maintaining their religious identities in the development arena and how their religious identity helps or hinder gender integration in development work. The finding of this research shows that faith-based organizations had a unique position in development endeavours because of its structure and acceptance in the community and how these organizations use this structure to address issues in the community. Even though these organizations have a religious background in their development work, they tend to separate their approaches. The presence of FBOs in the community made a definite difference, as community members trust these organizations more than secular NGOs. The target organizations implement projects collectively to bring every member to similar levels to create equal opportunity and understanding regarding gender-related issues in the project implementation area and within the organizations. The targeted organizations claim that faith does not orient their activities even if they are faith-based organizations. The project implementation of the member organizations of ACT Alliance aims to address the gender issues in Ethiopia directly and contributes to the achievement of national and international goals. Their centre of development work is mainly on mainstreaming the issue of gender inequality in different projects and using gender-focused programs. The research found that FBOs, particularly the members of ACT Alliance, have a strong potential and responsibility to contribute significantly to closing the gender gap in Ethiopia. In this regard, the researcher recommends the action to achieve gender equality should include collaboration among member organisations, and means to promote equal participation among members need to be strengthened.
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FBO, gender-related issues and mainstreaming