The Minister in the Presidency, Christine ||Hoëbes has called on churches to organize themselves, saying they have a role to play in influencing government policies that deal with fighting social ills and unethical behavior.

||Hoëbes made the call at the Ethical Human Rights Conference, organized by the Christian Coalition of Churches.

||Hoëbes says just as the church played a pivotal role during the country's liberation struggle, the expectation is still that churches position themselves to deal with the moral decay and decline of ethical behavior in some parts of society.

In recent years, the minister says, there has been an increase in gender-based violence, teen pregnancy, illegal abortions, crime, ill-discipline, and family disintegration.

According to Dr. Shirley Magadzi, the Executive Chairperson of the Christian Coalition of Churches, the church has taken issue with same-sex relationships, gender-based violence, abortion, corruption, and drug abuse, among other social ills.

The church hopes to strengthen its voice, emphasize the importance of promoting morality, and uphold the integrity of the Christian faith through this five-day strategic conference.