Tidar” (Marriage) to Spark Dialogue on Domestic Violence in faith communities at Project dldl/ Annual Conference 2024

Projectdldl  – 21/04/2024

London – UK: A two-day conference will be held in June to explore the intersection of religion, domestic violence, and migration in the United Kingdom. The event, organized by Project dldl/ድልድል, aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and religious leaders to discuss best practices and future directions for supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence (DVA) within diverse communities.

Project dldl/ድልድል is a research initiative funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) that focuses on developing culturally sensitive approaches to DVA. The project is led by Dr. Romina Istratii at SOAS University of London and implements research and interventions in partnership with universities in Sheffield and Bristol, and Ethiopian organizations.

The conference will feature presentations by researchers, workshops led by practitioners from DVA service providers, and a multi-stakeholder roundtable discussion open to the public. Attendees will explore evidence-based practices, identify successful initiatives, and foster collaboration to address DVA in a more integrated way, particularly within the context of a growing multicultural population.

Promoting Culturally Sensitive Responses

The conference aligns with Project dldl/ድልድል’s decolonial vision, which emphasizes the importance of:

• Religious and Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing the role of faith and cultural background in domestic violence experiences.
• Community Focus: Enabling community-led organizations to provide support
• Transnational Collaboration: Sharing knowledge and resources across borders.
• Integrated Responses: Coordinating efforts between different sectors to provide holistic support.

Docudrama Screening to Raise Awareness

On the first evening of the conference, there will be a screening of “Tidar” (Marriage), a docudrama co-produced in Ethiopia and the UK. The film explores the complex relationship between religious beliefs and domestic violence in the context of Ethiopian Orthodox rural communities. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session and a reception.

This conference signifies a significant step towards developing more effective and culturally sensitive approaches to address domestic violence within the UK’s diverse religious communities.

Watch Now – Trailer of ‘Tidar’ (Marriage)

Source: projectdldl