Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
DJIBOUTI (HOL) – Somali women have called for education reform in Somalia to contain the spread of religious extremism to reduce the growing influence of the jihadist groups that continue to attract
large followers throughout African continent.
The women from civil society, women’s rights organizations and government are attending an African Union sponsored meeting on counter terrorism strategies in Djibouti’s capital argue that that the
perceptions of neglect and lack of education reform are key factors driving youth to join the Al-Shabab, urging an extensive literature review on the education system.
The conference also seeks women’s partnership in the security sectors to participate efforts aimed at stabilizing the horn of Africa nation after more than two decades of war. During the conference, women have also called for wide range of Islamic political activities including awareness to stop youth from joining militants.
The three day-conferences also called for more social engagements and building close working relations between security agencies and women.
The opening day for the conference, also heard views from women on peacebuilding who also proposes a strategy of engagement and deliberative dialogue, a scenario they called the ‘most efficient
strategy to combat terrorism’.
Discussing about efforts to bring peace and stability back to Somalia, women have called for building resilience among Somali women and giving financial assistance to the poor to prevent extremists trying to exploit their condition for recruitment purposes in a bid to minimize their vulnerability.
The continued radicalization and youth recruitment by al-Shabaab’s has transformed the group from a rag-tag militia trying to overthrow the Western-backed government and force the withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers.