UNICEF: Faith for Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) Global Initiative

Harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) persist not only because of social norms and cultural expectations but also because they are often perceived as religiously or morally justified. While rooted in community identity and social expectations, these practices violate children’s rights and cause lifelong physical, emotional, and social harm. Religious leaders are among the most trusted and influential voices in their communities.  As moral authorities and custodians of faith, they are uniquely positioned to challenge these justifications and champion interpretations of faith that uphold protection, dignity, and well-being for all children. As part of the Faith for Positive Change for Children, Families, and Communities (FPCC) initiative , UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change and Child Protection Teams partnered to develop a series of practical resources to support faith-engaged efforts to eliminate harmful practices. Th products include:

• Desk Review: This review explores how faith-based interventions can foster significant social change by reframing traditions through a lens of protection and empowerment. Its theoretical foundation is anchored in social and behaviour change and the mind-heart dialogue which emphasizes the need to engage both the intellectual (mind) and emotional/spiritual (heart) dimensions of individuals and communities. This framework is particularly relevant for addressing practices like FGM and child marriage, which are intertwined with cultural, spiritual, and emotional values.
• Synthesis Paper and Country Snapshots: This synthesis summarizes the evidence from 16 country mappings and focuses on pushback against efforts to end FGM and child marriage, with particular attention to the role of faith actors in shaping perspectives and influencing action.
• Toolkit: This practical Programme Guide recognizes the complexity of social and religious change and is grounded in three interconnected domains of influence:
  • The mind: evidence, facts, laws, health, and human rights frameworks
  • The heart: emotions, empathy, lived experience, and collective memory
  • Faith: scripture, doctrine, rituals, values, and moral responsibility
  Lasting transformation becomes possible when these three domains work together—when faith is not separated from facts or feelings but positioned as a force that strengthens understanding, empathy, and collective action. The guide supports facilitators through four key phases of implementation:
  • Pre-design: Mapping influence and understanding resistance
  • Design: Co-designing faith-based interventions
  • Implementation: Rolling out faith-based interventions
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
• MEAL Framework: The MEAL Framework complements the Programme Guide and is fully aligned with the programme’s faith-led journey of change. It reinforces each implementation phase—pre-design, design, implementation, and monitoring—by embedding structured monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning throughout the process.

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