The UN’s
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) will meet in
Vienna, 23 – 27 May, to discuss ‘criminal justice responses to prevent and
counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations’. These discussions come
at a crucial time, as across the world there is an increasing focus on violent
extremism and terrorism, and what can be done to prevent it.

However,
despite this international focus, the value of including women in actions that seek to reduce terrorism, and the relationship between extremism and
gender-based violence, go largely unacknowledged. Cultures of violence against
women and girls can be exacerbated by extremist ideologies and in conflict
situations. This is seen throughout history, and more currently with Boko Haram
in Nigeria, and the current conflict in Syria. Women and girls are targets for violent extremists, especially in
conflict situations, with sexual violence being used as a form of terrorism.
Although this information is known by policy and decision makers, counter
terrorism interventions still consistently ignore gender perspectives, and fail
to prevent or punish gender-based abuses.

 

Bringing
attention to this issue at the CCPCJ will be Soroptimist International’s UN
Representatives in Vienna, Dora Vrdlovec and Martina Gredler. Both Dora and
Martina have worked with other NGOs at the UN to organise side events that
demonstrate the importance and value of including women in efforts to eliminate
violent extremism and terrorism. International President, Yvonne Simpson, and
International Director of Advocacy, Pat Black, will also be attending the
CCPCJ, supporting the work of Dora and Martina and raising the profile of this
key international issue.

‘Women and
Terrorism’, organised by SI and Zonta International, will highlight the role
that women have in preventing terrorism through programmes, policies and within
their communities. With speakers from the UN Office of Drugs and Crime, and the
Association of Austrian Peacekeepers, this event will show the multifaceted
contributions that women can provide to eliminating violent extremism and the
urgency that must be given to their inclusion.

It has been
established through UN Security Council Resolution 1325 that women are
essential participants in resolving violent conflict. However, this commitment
has not always led to action. ‘Women Meeting the Challenges of Violent
Extremism’, organised by SI, the International Association of Democratic
Lawyers and the International Alliance of Women, will challenge traditional
counter extremism efforts that have been limited to government-led actions.
This event will explore how the knowledge
that women have about the presence of extremism in their communities, can
effectively prevent violent extremism.

Ahead of the
CCPCJ in Vienna, Soroptimist International has released a statement about the
impacts that violent extremism and terrorism has on women and girls, and the
roles that women need to have to prevent it. (Click on the image below to read
the statement).