The main purpose of the Gender Justice Programme is to capacitate member churches in addressing Gender Justice issues in the Church and Community. The LUCSA member churches operate in an environment that is pre-dominantly influenced by patriarchy. Supposedly this stems from the African culture and tradition. Christianity finds itself absorbed and influenced by this system. There is evidence of the negative impact of the predominant patriarchal system in this sub-region experienced through high level of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), relegation of women and girl child to second class level in the society, making them vulnerable to preventable diseases and open economic exploitation. The gender inequality between men and women within communities and churches has negative effects on equitable socio-economic livelihood in communities.

One in three women and girls experience physical and sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. Violence against women, children and men is one of the most prevalent and pervasive violations of human rights . During COVID-19 pandemic, most countries which were affected saw a rise in these violations. To add, Conflict and climate change have exacerbated the spread of this pandemic and generated new threats, amplifying the vulnerability of women, boys and girls. It is a fact that cannot be disputed that violence against these groups including people living with disabilities has disrupted peace and stability within families and communities. With many communities not having access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), this has caused serious healthcare problems., disrupting education, and access to social protection and justice.

The Gender Justice programme seeks rapid and sustained change in the harmful cultural norms and patriarchal attitudes that drive gender inequality and human rights violations. This programme is informed by:

• Unequal distribution of resources,
• Power, social institutions and norms that sustain inequality.
• Gender based violence is deeply rooted in gender physical violence suffered by children,
• Sexual violence suffered by girls,
• Emotional violence suffered by children,
• Impact of uninvolved fathers, and
• Lack of role models for boys and girls in society.