4. Security and Protection

This chapter presents the roles of women of faith in peacebuilding by providing security and protection. Although achieving protection and security is a complex process, women of faith play varied roles in this field, focusing on risk reduction, violence prevention, and urgent response. They serve as the primary providers of early warning and violence prevention measures, and occupy unique positions as early responders, alerting the community of imminent or immediate danger, and mobilizing practical action for safety. I discuss how women utilize religious language, moral proscriptions, gendered roles, and networks to secure their homes against violence. The chapter ends with a discussion of the intersectionality of parental and faith identities and whether they offer women legitimacy, moral authority and voice in carrying out peacebuilding roles.