Become a Member
Become a Member
We are delighted that you want to join us in our mission to end vawg and work with survivors and faith communities. Before you proceed it is important that you understand our membership framework. We expect our members, and anyone joining us to be aligned with our principles and values and adhere to them as much as possible.
Membership is open to any individuals or organisations of faith or non-faith that are working to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Members must demonstrate a commitment to the aims and values of the Coalition. Membership is conditional on the panel's approval, which comprises of existing members, staff, and trustees. The panel will meet twice a year The panel reserves the right to withdraw membership if a person or organisation fails to uphold the values of the Coalition.
In the application form you will be asked questions to ascertain the correct membership category for you. If you require any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: membership@faithandvawg.org
- We ascribe to an inclusive, feminist analysis of male violence against women.
- We believe faith and religion can be used and have ethical traditions to eliminate VAWG.
- We believe VAWG is aided by systems of oppression that create marginalised and disparate experiences.
- We are grounded in our expertise and experiences as survivors, believers, and professionals within the VAWG sector.
- We believe there is no hierarchy of faith, belief, or non-belief. All are equal and can work together collaboratively.
- We recognise that in a secular system faith can be racialised and intersects with race, thereby impacting the visibility and experience of survivors and communities.
- Women’s experiences of violence intersect with other structural inequalities, which subsequently influence and impact women’s experiences when receiving support and justice.
- There are survivors whose needs are not being met due to a lack of understanding of their needs and structural barriers to support.
- Survivors of faith are subject to secular assumptions surrounding religion and its ‘role’ in VAWG.
- There is a gap in understanding the role of faith in survivors’ lives and, therefore, in policy responses.
- Faith communities and groups may be the only support available to a survivor.
- As specialists and organisations, we are stronger together as a collective voice.
- The gap in funding and support for survivors from faith backgrounds and faith organisations who are working to end VAWG.
Membership Commitments
In becoming a member of the Faith and VAWG Coalition you commit to practicing the following in membership meetings, our events, collaborations and partnerships:
- Reducing Harm as a first principle
We aim to have conversations that do not reproduce to the same extent the harmful hierarchies of the inequitable systems we operate in. - Safe space
Embrace diverse approaches, perspectives and life experiences. - Intersectionality
Be mindful of the different positions of groups of women; all members are valued equally.
4. Respect
We can challenge each other kindly and encourage each other to receive feedback as a gift. We also encourage each other to share their feelings and name any discomfort.
5. Listening
We welcome each conversation with open hearts and with the intention of solidarity and support through connection.
6. Intersectional Feminist Ethics
While we centre women, we know no one woman’s experience is the same or more valued than another. However, we are swimming in a soup of power and privilege, and we will try to correct that in our conversations with each other.
How to Join
- Complete the membership application form (Use the embedded form below/click the button to open a new window)
- Meet with our Membership Lead
- Application reviewed
- Informed of the outcome
- Welcome & Onboarding