Conclusion: Intersections of Religion, Gender, and Sustainable Development in East and Southern Africa

The purpose of this concluding chapter is to tie together the thrust of the chapters in this book and provide final reflections on the way forward. The chapters navigate how the nexus between religion and gender can be utilized as the backdrop for achieving sustainable development in Africa, focusing on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which is on attainment of gender equality. The chapter highlights the key arguments advanced by authors of chapters in this book, chief of which is that sustainable development is achievable when women and men become full partners in their homes, communities, and society. Chapters which focus on GBV assert that addressing GBV is critical to a fairer and more sustainable future in African societies and that ending GBV is the responsibility of everyone. The book chapters depict religion as ambivalent in relation to the promotion or otherwise of sustainable development. This chapter concludes by suggesting that for sustainable development to take place, the way forward is for various actors to work together toward eliminating religious and cultural impediments to gender inclusivity and justice, as well as integrating SDG 5 in the implementation of other SDGs.