Gender-sensitive and human rights-compliant approach needed to make counter-terrorism measures effective, say participants of Vienna workshop

VIENNA, 21 October 2014 - Counter-terrorism measures can only become sustainable and effective through a gender-sensitive and human rights compliant approach, said participants at the start of a two-day workshop for senior government experts, organized by the OSCE and the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF).

The workshop brings together some 120 experts from government and civil society from across the OSCE’s 57 participating States and beyond to discuss possible good policy practices to advance women’s roles in efforts to counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.

Participants noted that the different ways violent extremism, terrorism and counter-terrorism impact differently on women and men are rarely taken into account because terrorism has been traditionally viewed as a ‘male-only problem’.

“The collaboration of the OSCE and the GCTF presents a welcome impetus for empowering women to be leaders in all our efforts to achieve security, tolerance, and prosperity for their communities and countries” said Eileen O’Connor, U.S. Deputy Assistant State Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs. “Women’s voices must be heard if communities are to move past violence and victimization and invest in a shared future that rejects violence and the depravity that follows radicalization to violence; we must enlist and empower them as key agents of peace and reconciliation.”

They also noted that women play crucial roles in their families, communities, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies and the broader public sector, and therefore bring important and unique perspectives to understanding and countering violent extremism and terrorist radicalization. 

Boğaҫ Güldere, Deputy Permanent Representative of Turkey to the OSCE, said: “Advancing women’s roles in countering terrorist radicalizations is first and foremost a human rights issue and the fight against terrorism requires a holistic approach. Our efforts should also address the propaganda, symbolism and imagery used by terrorists and violent extremists to specifically recruit women. Empowering women should be central in our response to this threat”.

The workshop was organized as a joint initiative of the OSCE and GCTF with the aim of promoting gender-sensitive strategies, policies and measures to counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. The initiative places emphasis on empowering women to contribute to these efforts in different roles and capacities.

Thomas Wuchte, OSCE Head on Anti-Terrorism Issues, stressed that the workshop is at the crossroads of several priorities for the OSCE. "Countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism following a multi-dimensional approach is a strategic focus area for OSCE counter-terrorism activities. We are also celebrating this year the 10th anniversary of the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality”.

This workshop follows a similar event organized by the OSCE and GCTF in May 2014 for representatives of civil society, where participants from 34 countries shared experiences on the importance of engaging women, particularly at the local level, and to protect and promote women’s rights while countering terrorism.