In Christian churches and mosques in Tanzania, issues such as violence against girls and women, abuse of individuals with disabilities, and lack of respect for the climate, environment, and nature are being addressed. ADRA’s efforts to involve religious leaders have brought these matters higher on the agenda

Written by Maria Lykke Andersen, communication officer, ADRA Denmark

In 2024, the development and relief organization ADRA initiated a partnership with the Adventist Church in Tanzania. The goal is to promote social justice for people with disabilities, such as albinism, and to put an end to abuse against girls and women.

The results are already evident. Church members are participating in street campaigns against violence, and the topic is being discussed on local radio stations. Awareness campaigns about social justice and human rights have been introduced in schools, reaching more than 19,800 students, teachers, and parents so far. Additionally, social justice has become a part of pastoral training within the Adventist Church in Tanzania.

A partnership with the police ensures that officers now speak during worship services about laws related to issues such as violence against women and child marriages. Muslim communities have also embraced this initiative, allowing law enforcement to address congregants. To date, nearly 10,850 individuals from churches and mosques in the project area have heard the message that violence must be reported to the police.

Preaching Justice with the Bible in Hand
The collaboration between ADRA and the Adventist Church in Tanzania began with a workshop in 2022, followed by a series of consultations. The national church leadership decided that local congregations should not only demonstrate neighborly love through practical actions. Congregations already engaged in combating poverty, ethnic conflicts, and human rights violations were now also encouraged to address injustices from the pulpit—grounded in Biblical teachings.

As part of a pilot project, 10 selected congregations committed to addressing issues such as violence against girls and women, abuse of people with disabilities, and lack of respect for the climate, environment, and nature. These churches are located in areas where ADRA Denmark is already supporting projects with funding from Danida.

Cultural Differences Among Christians
“That the church in Tanzania even needs to address these issues among Christians may surprise believers here in Denmark,” says Jens Vesterager, Secretary General of ADRA Denmark.

“For us, it’s self-evident that men and women are equal and that human rights apply to everyone. However, even within global church communities, cultural differences often mean that certain messages receive more attention and are interpreted differently, depending on whether you are in the Global South or North.”

ADRA Denmark collaborates with religious leaders in several countries where the NGO implements projects funded by Danida. This includes leaders from various Christian denominations and Muslim communities.

Data from the American research organization Pew Research Center shows that faith plays an important role in the daily lives of 9 out of 10 Africans. As a result, religious leaders and networks have significant influence over people’s lives. When religious leaders advocate for human rights and against injustices, people listen.

“For ADRA, collaborating with the Adventist Church is a low-hanging fruit in our efforts to promote rights in the countries where we work. We already have access and credibility here because we are an organization rooted in the Adventist Church,” says the Secretary General. Globally, the denomination has over 20 million members.

ADRA Denmark is a member of the Network for Religion and Development and recently contributed to a proposal for Denmark’s forthcoming foreign policy strategy. The proposal states:

“In an increasingly polarized geopolitical reality, and at a time when the need for local and sustainable solutions to the climate crisis, human rights crisis, and displacement crisis is evident, the role of religious actors is more critical than ever. Both where they are part of the solution and where they are part of the problem.”