Preventing terrorism and violent extremism through…

The objective is to discuss and analyse how a focus on masculinities, gender stereotypes and gender inequality, can allow for a more comprehensive gender approach by the UN Security Council to tackle the issue of radicalization to violence and to more effectively prevent terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

The Security Council has been actively engaged in the agendas of Women, Peace and Security, and Counter-Terrorism for many years now. However, the notion of "masculinities" has not been incorporated neither to its narrative nor to its assessment of these issues, even when terrorist groups themselves deliberately exploit ideas and stereotypes about masculinities in their propaganda and recruitment efforts.

The Arria Formula meeting builds upon the need to address this gap, in an inclusive and transparent discussion which can help inform future reports by the Secretary-General on the issue, and to advance a Security Council comprehensive gender-sensitive approach that takes into consideration the dimension of masculinities, gender stereotypes and gender inequality as key elements of its preventive agenda.

In their briefings, Executive Director Michèle Coninsx could address how CTED is working on exploring and incorporating this issue to their work in accordance with their mandate. Dr. David Duriesmith, lecturer in gender and politics at The University of Sheffield, will address the need to better understand the concept of masculinity and the way in which this understanding has an impact in the prevention of violent extremism. Finally, Ms. Fauziya Abdi Ali, who serves as the President of Women in International Security -Horn of Africa, and has over 10 years experience working on security and governance reform, will offer her view as a practitioner on these issues.

1) Ms. Michèle Coninsx, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED).

2) Dr. David Duriesmith, lecturer in gender and politics at The University of Sheffield.

3) Ms. Fauziya Abdi Ali, President of Women in International Security -Horn of Africa.