On the heels of the Geneva Conference on Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) and the United Nations Plan of Action for PVE, GCERF (Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund) in partnership with the Gender Centre at the Graduate Institute co-hosted a discussion on “Gender Perspectives in Preventing Violent Extremism”. The event featured Carol Bellamy, Chair of the Governing Board of GCERF in conversation with Elisabeth Prügl, Professor of International Relations and Political Science at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. The event aimed to launch a critical public discussion on gender dimensions in PVE.
The interactive and frank conversation began with a shared concern that twenty-first century wars are impacting women in multiple and changing ways as victims and perpetrators. On the one hand, Bellamy noted that what pushes and pulls individual women and men towards engaging in violent extremism is not so different; whilst on the other Prügl also emphasized that viewing either women or men as a group with generalisable characteristics fails to grasp the very different and sometimes gendered roles that people play in promoting or resisting violent extremist agendas. The complexity and oftentimes contradictory ways in which gender is appropriated by different stakeholders underscored the need for more empirical research on PVE with a gendered lens.
The discussants reflected on the impact of gender mainstreaming in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda noting that overall there is not so much to show for it but more optimistically the inclusion of gender in the PVE world is most probably in part an outcome of the Security Council Resolutions on WPS.
It was agreed that any research should take into consideration the varying geographical, cultural, social, and economic contexts at play (as violent extremism is itself highly contextual and localised). Bellamy concurred that research on these issues will allow for the formulation of a more holistic approach to the development of policies and programmes within PVE.
Speaking from their respective positions and prompted by questions from the floor, the conversation reiterated the need for critical thinking and outreach from academia to real world policy making and also the receptiveness of the policy worlds in development and security to engage and listen. “Decisions are being made out of thin air; we just don’t have the information” said Bellamy. Organisations like GCERF operate in a niche area as they provide a predictable funding source that pools donor funding and is focused on interventions that prioritise locally-driven, community-based solutions to violent extremism. In closing, Bellamy noted that gender mainstreaming had yet to bring about significant change at either international or national levels of politics and peacebuilding. Greater commitment and funding, according to her, should be given not only to mainstreaming gender, but also to the prevention of violent extremism. Bellamy encouraged young women in the audience not to underestimate their capacity to assume a leadership role.
For further information please contact info@gcerf.org
Visit the GCERF website: www.gcerf.org