‘Women can play role in curbing extremism’

Ramlan: Need for adequate avenues for leadership roles

KUALA LUMPUR: Women play an important role in preventing violent extremism and their role as caregivers makes them influential voices in families, societies and communities, said Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim.

“In particular, mothers play an important role in nurturing children and shaping the future of the family.

“Therefore, there is a need to provide women with adequate avenues for leadership roles and engagement within the community to tackle the root causes of violent extremism,” he added.

Ramlan said the Government was actively formulating a National Action Plan on the prevention of violent extremism. The plan may include several elements on empowering women.

UN Women regional director for Asia and the Pacific Dr Miwa Kato said women play powerful roles as “preventers” by offering critical care and support, and actively challenging extremist narratives at the stage of recruitment.

Dr Kato said there was growing evidence of women’s participation in security efforts to improve the effectiveness of peace agreements.

“A recent study we conducted showed that peace agreements in which women participated in the discussion yielded 20% more chance of surviving in the first two years.

“These agreements also had 35% more chance of surviving after 15 years,” she said after the launch of the sixth Asean-UN workshop yesterday.

Senior officials from Asean member states and the United Nations, as well as civil society leaders attended the workshop.

Also present at the launch were Asean secretary-general Le Luong Minh, United Nations’ assistant secretary-general for political affairs Miroslav Jenca and Asean Institute for Peace and Reconciliation executive director Rezlan Jenie.