Save the Children Women's Wealth & Influence project staff conducts trainings on the prevention of violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism

June 26, 2015 Baljuvon district- Save the Children’s DFID funded Women’s Wealth and Influence (WW&I) Project staff conducted a half day training on “Parents against Radicalization” in the framework of OSCE’s “Violent Extremism and Radicalization Leading to Terrorism” Project in Baljuvon district. Representatives of WW&I Project women’s groups, as well as district authority representatives, the head of education and the head of labor and migration departments, took part in the training. They gave their interpretations of the definitions of “radicalism”, “extremism” and “terrorism.” They also analyzed the reasons for radicalism and extremism, what negative consequences they can bring to communities and the threats they can pose. 

The head of Baljuvon District Ma’rifat Zoirzoda thanked OSCE and Save the Children’s DFID funded WW&I Project for its initiative in conducting this timely training in the district. National TV “Shabaqai Avval” staff visited the event and made a short film which was broadcasted widely within “The News” program. 

International and Regional Organizations are increasingly recognizing that a better understanding of the dynamics of Violent Extremism and Radicalization Leading to Terrorism (VERLT) as a process is central to formulating and implementing effective strategies to combat terrorism. 

Similar trainings had been conducted in other districts of Khatlon region. The module of the training was prepared by OSCE specialists. The main purpose of these trainings was to raise awareness of women to take an active role in understanding “radicalization, extremism and terrorism” and know the difference between these concepts to safeguard and prevent their family members and community from the threat of being radicalized or joining different kinds of extremist groups. 

In May and June a total of 670 women and other community members, including district and sub-district officials participated in 17 educational sessions in 17 targeted districts. Participants expressed their gratitude to OSCE and SC WW&I staff for these sessions and requested an increase in the number of trainings to cover more people as there have been multiple cases where youth are involved in extremist groups or have been mobilized to Syria.

Save the Children works in Central Asia to create a secure, suitable and hopeful environment for vulnerable children to reach their full potentialities. We work on child protection, disaster risk reduction, education, health and nutrition, livelihood sectors.  For more information on Women’s Wealth and Influence project, contact: zuhro.murodova@savethechildren.org