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Domestic violence is a global phenomenon taking several forms, women being the most affected. It is the most frequent type of violence against women today with consequences extending to the whole society. Religion is one of the key role players in addressing domestic violence, but also in nurturing it. Why is the church walking astride? How is it supposed to stand? Is there any way of catching up? This book provides some of the responses to these questions. Using the concept of missio Dei as framework, it assesses the response of the Ubunye Free Methodist Church of Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) to domestic violence. It highlights the areas in which this church is succeeding and where it is falling short in addressing this problem. It therefore suggests ways forward so as to make the church´s response reflect the fullness of missio Dei. This book constitutes a mirror and a manual for churches in God´s mission seeking to address any kind of social violence and oppression.

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PhD student in Gender and Religion at UKZN, South Africa, he holds Masters and Honours degrees in Theology and Development from UKZN and two Licence degrees in Demography (ULK, Rwanda) and School Psychology (NUR, Rwanda). He has mostly worked as planning, monitoring and evaluation, and community development technical advisor.

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