DAWN’s work on Political Restructuring and Social Transformation (PRST) continues to analyse the intersectionality between gender-based violence, human rights (especially women’s rights), and violent extremism, peace and conflict, governance, and political economy.

In that regards, Cai Yiping, member of the Executive Committee, represented DAWN at the United Nations High-Level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, that took place at the UN Headquarters in New York on 28-29 June 2018. The theme of the conference was “Strengthening International Cooperation to Combat the Evolving Threat of Terrorism”.

The conference offered an opportunity to understand the UN official framing of countering violent extremism and terrorism, its policy framework, the positions of Member States regarding counter-terrorism, as well as gender issues and role of women in this narrative and policy interventions. It was also a space to identify the possible partners for the DAWN’s future work around the violent extremism.

As CSO participant, DAWN attended the second day of the conference, and the side event organized by the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), UNWomen, and the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS): “Leveraging Partnerships and Strengthening Cooperation with Women to Counter and Prevent Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Africa”.

Click here to watch the video of this side event on the UN WebTV channel.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism was established in June 2017 to strengthen the implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy adopted in 2006. This conference is the 6th review of the implementation of the Strategy.