Integrating gender aspects into security sector’s work is essential to countering terrorism and violent extremism, say experts at OSCE meeting

VIENNA, 23 November 2016 – The need to gender mainstream operational responses by the security sector in countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT) was highlighted during a two-day technical expert meeting of more than 80 law enforcement and government officials from across the OSCE region, which concluded today in Vienna.

Organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the meeting aimed to compile the experts’ recommendations on steering OSCE activities to raise gender awareness in States’ efforts to prevent and counter VERLT.

“Failing to apply a gender perspective will weaken the ability of the security sector to carry out their responsibilities and policies effectively,” said the OSCE’s Head on Anti-Terrorism Issues, Thomas Wuchte.  “It also has an impact on the capacity of the law enforcement agencies to tailor interventions to reach women and girls. Although the UN Security Council affirmed 16 years ago that women’s leadership is essential in building and sustaining peace and security, implementation has been slow, and we need to increase our efforts.”

Johannes Heiler, ODIHR’s Adviser on Anti-Terrorism Issues, said: “Gender-sensitive and human rights compliant responses are essential to countering terrorism and VERLT effectively. Women’s human rights, and the impact actions against terrorism may have on women, should therefore be central elements in devising and implementing measures to counter and prevent VERLT.”

Ankica Tomić, Head of Department for International Co-operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ministry of Security, said: “We need to move from paper to action. It is not enough to have knowledge. It is time to apply it. It is time to act.” Tomić co-chairs the Co-ordination Board of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for monitoring the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The meeting is part of the ongoing work of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department related to preventing and countering VERLT, with a focus on gender mainstreaming. It contributes to the Organization’s wider campaign “OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism” (#UnitedCVE), which highlights the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to preventing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.