Uncomfortable Truths, Unconventional Wisdoms: Women's Perspectives on Violent Extremism and Security Interventions

We are pleased to announce that the Centre for the Study of the International Relations of the Middle East and North Africa (CIRMENA) and the University of Cambridge Centre for Gender Studies co-hosted an extraordinary public talk by Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini and Sussan Tahmasebi, founders of the International Civil Society Action Network, who discussed women’s perspectives on violent extremism and security interventions. Grassroots peacebuilders from Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria were present and provided invaluable insight and testimonies.

The panel addressed the diverse approaches of local women-led organisations to (1) the closing of civil society space as challenge to prevention of extremism, (2) the problems and potential of police, (3) the role of militias and militarisation, and (4) international interventions. The experience shared by participants illustrated the findings of 'Uncomfortable Truths, Unconventional Wisdoms: Women’s Perspectives on Violent Extremism and Security Interventions', the first brief issued by the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) based on consultations with over 70 women peace and rights practitioners in 15 countries across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.