OSCE and Jordan join efforts on training stakeholders on Gender in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism

On 12 October, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU), organized a training on “Understanding the Role of Gender in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism” (P/CVERLT) in Valletta, Malta, with the support of the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Vienna, and the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law.

The training demonstrated how integrating a strong gender perspective and close collaboration across sectors in P/CVERLT programming and operations is more efficient and strengthens a community-oriented approach that protects and promotes human rights.

This pilot training, held in Arabic to tailor to the regional context of the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, brought together 14 Jordanian participants from law enforcement agencies and civil society to reflect and exchange on how gender relates to and intersects with VERLT.

Discussing the roles of gender norms in violent extremist recruitment, First Lieutenant Dr. Marrow Abu Drais, a Gender Liaison Officer in the Public Security Directorate of Jordan concluded: “Gender norms of the society create pressures on men and women, which can make an individual feel frustrated. The violent extremist groups exploit this feeling and that is why it is important to address this in our efforts to prevent violent extremism.”

During the event, the participants also designed action plans for gender mainstreaming in P/CVERLT and explored how to apply the new skills and knowledge in practice.

“Understanding how gender influences and shapes violent extremism is crucial for the effectiveness of the P/CVE programming and responses by law enforcement and civil society. The training aims to support these actors in integrating a gender perspective in their work by providing context-specific tools and examples,” emphasized Ola Saleh, the expert facilitator of the training.

TNTD/ATU will expand the topic to deliver training with other OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, tailoring the training curriculum to other contexts.

The training is part of an Extra-Budgetary Project funded by Italy, Austria, and Slovakia and based on the OSCE guidebook on Understanding the Role of Gender in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism - Good Practices for Law Enforcement.