Efforts made to involve women in the work to counter violent extremism

A two day meeting has been arranged by the Organisation for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna to empower women in countering violent extremism

According to OSCE, more than 100 experts in the fields of security, gender and human rights will discuss good practices and lessons learnt from women’s initiatives in tackling the issue.

“For too long, terrorism has been viewed exclusively as a male problem,” said keynote speaker Detective Inspector Khizra Dhindsa, the national lead officer for Project Shanaz, an initiative by the Association of Chief Police Officers to engage women against violent extremism and terrorism.



"Structures, advisory bodies and methods were never intended to cater for women’s inclusion in counter-terrorism - therefore they are not effective. It is as if we have been trying to fly on one wing,” she said.  



Assia Ivantcheva, acting head of the Human Rights Department of the OSCE said governments and civil society have an important responsibility to empower women and to factor in their experiences into counter-terrorism efforts. She stated: “It is only through a gender-sensitive and human rights compliant approach that counter-terrorism measures can be sustainable and effective”

The meeting follows an earlier session held in December 2011, which focused on the dynamics behind the terrorist radicalisation of women and ways to prevent it.

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