FORB and gender equality

• Case study materials – choose one case study to read out.
• Prepare flipchart sheet(s) with the discussion questions listed.
• Flipchart sheets and marker pens for small groups to record their discussions.

Display the discussion questions on a flipchart sheet.

Explain that the group is going to listen to a case study that explores the links between FORB and gender. Ask them to look out for the answers to the discussion questions listed below, while the case is being presented.

Read out the discussion questions and present the case study.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Who are the victims of the violations in the case?
• What rights are being violated? List as many as you can.
• In what ways is their freedom of religion or belief being violated?
• Who is committing these violations?
• In which ways was the woman in the story a victim, and in which ways did she show agency?
• What about the other women in the stories? Were they passive or proactive? Victims, perpetrators or changemakers?

TIP! If you have covered the dimensions of FORB exercise, you could ask participants to identify specific dimensions of FORB that are being violated.

PLENARY DISCUSSION (15 MIN)

In plenary, ask for participants’ reflections on the discussion questions and note their answers on a flipchart sheet.

Then, ask follow-up questions:

• How did you feel, listening to the case presented?
• What role do you think that religion, ethnicity, class, and gender play in the violations?

GROUP DISCUSSION (45 MIN)

Ask the participants to form groups of four and discuss the following questions in their group, recording their responses on a flipchart sheet. Each group should nominate a spokesperson to report their findings to the plenary.

• What FORB violations do women experience in your context? How do these intersect with violations of other rights?
• How does this differ from men’s experiences?
• Do women from majority and minority religious groups in your context have similar or different experiences? In what ways?
• Are there attitudes or practices within your own or other religious or belief communities that make women more vulnerable to violations of FORB (and of other rights), or that keep their experiences invisible?
• In what ways do women in your context use their agency to protect and promote FORB and gender equality?

PRESENTATIONS AND BRIEF PLENARY DISCUSSION (25 MIN)

Invite each spokesperson to present their findings (5 min/group). If the groups are all from the same context, ask each spokesperson to skip over points already made by previous groups. After all the groups have presented, briefly mention any common themes that emerged.

Conclude by asking the following question: Has this exercise given you any new insights or reflections about your context that you are taking away with you?

Thank everyone for sharing their valuable insights in the discussions.