Involve women in the war against terrorism

Kenya faces significant threats of violent extremism having suffered a number of terrorist attacks. This is compounded by the emergence of home-grown extremist groups.

Violent extremism is an ideological phenomenon, and so we must use ideology to counter it. To succeed, all must be involved. Past efforts have left out women, yet we cannot effectively counter radicalisation when half of the population is alienated.

Women have influence on their sons and husbands. Their natural persuasive power can be put into use to counter radicalisation. We need inclusive counter terrorism measures.

Women, whether they are combatants or survivors, peace-builders or bystanders, must play a role in the war against terror. Women and men have different experiences in violent conflicts. To begin with, women very often suffer more than men and are more likely to be victimised.

Women involved in peace building tend to gravitate towards sustained inter-faith and intra-faith relationship building, approaching peace work from a holistic perspective.

Their abilities to reach across lines of difference in tense environments, lead non-violent protests, and mobilise communities, as well as their engagement with the theological aspects of gender roles in peace, hold the promise to change discourse and preconceptions about how religious organisations can be involved in peace building.

Women’s roles vary between societies, but as mothers and wives, they can act as powerful role models against violent extremism, as the shapers of family and social norms, and promoters of tolerance and societal engagement.

Mothers in particular possess the unique ability to recognise the early warning signs of radicalisation in their children — behaviour change, whereabouts and dressing, among other visible changes. They know who their children’s friends in church, school, madrasa and mosque and so can play a key role in curtailing extremism.

However, women lack the skills to intervene because of their triple reproductive, productive and community roles. More women are joining the workforce in formal and non-formal employment. They need to be equipped and supported in their efforts to prevent their children from joining extremist groups, and also to build their own capacity to reject the influence of extremism and violence.

Women’s skills and social positions give them different perspectives on issues of peace and conflict, and across the globe, women have demonstrated their abilities to achieve common ground and work effectively to better their communities in instances where men have failed. In Kenya we have seen cases of success in peace where women have taken the lead.

The Wajir Peace and Development Committee, started by the late Dekha Ibrahim, is an example. In the early 1990s, the women’s movement broke the cycle of ethnic violence and ushered in peace in a very challenging environment.

In October 2000, the UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, urging its member states to ensure the full inclusion of women in all aspects of international peace and security processes.

Kenya as a signatory, needs to comply with Resolution 1325 and include women in all areas of peace building.

Ms Mohammed teaches at Egerton University and is an expert on gender, peace and security. She is a member of the Northeast Professional Association (Nepa) — [email protected]