Workshop on preventing violent extremism ends

A two-day workshop, December 17 and December 18 on “Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE): Approaches on Gender Mainstreaming organized by private organization ANTAR at Brac Center Inn in Mohakhali, Dhaka, ended on Sunday.

The workshop was organized in technical cooperation with the Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN) Indonesia.

The workshop highlighted various laws, instruments, activities, key drivers, challenges, and exemplary good practices on violent extremism.

To prevent violent extremism in the country, gender equality must be ensured, said speakers. They also said that women’s capacity building and participation in the prevention of violent extremism should be emphasized and public awareness should be given. For this reason, they called upon public-private institutions and civil society to work together.

It was informed that in order to prevent violent extremism, the capacity and knowledge of civil society should be increased for gender equality. Ensuring gender equality can play a strong role for the establishment of a peaceful civil society.

Emranul Huq Chowdhury, Founder and Principal Adviser of ANTAR gave a welcome speech at the workshop. He said that this workshop will play an important role in increasing the capacity of civil society and developing skills, information and research and taking action to counter violent extremism.

Development Consultant and Policy Analyst Shahin Ara Begum highlighted the areas of work and challenges of gender mainstreaming and civil society engagement on violent extremism.

Dr M. Abdul Aziz, Director General of BIIT and Country Representative of IIIT (USA)’s Bangladesh office, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) AKM Hafiz Akhter, Mamun Abdullah, Head of News of private satellite channel Independent Television delivered their valuable speeches on the workshop.

The former Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office Md. Abdul Karim was the chief guest in the program and he said, “Violent extremism cannot be completely eradicated. But control and prevention are possible through concerted efforts. And in this case equal participation of men and women is very important. Government, non-governmental organizations, civil society, families, and the media all have to work together in this regard.”