Completed Project (30): Global Center on Cooperative Security funded Project on Engaging Female Teachers and Families in Countering Radicalization and Violent Extremism.
The role of women, particularly those of female teachers is often underestimated in efforts to counter violent extremism, despite the fact that women and girls can either fall victim of violent extremism and can play an important role in preventing radicalization leading to violent extremism. According to the World Bank estimate, 49.40% of total population of Bangladesh is women and the inclusion of women in the CVE framework could give it a new and effective edge, particularly in the context of Bangladesh. Given their unique position in the family and society, female teachers can exercise significant influence on the families and communities to preposition them to fight the tendencies of violent extremism. If the government, civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can seek support of female teachers, it could be possible to develop a new family eco system, possibly a new narrative, where empowered women can focus on the concerns of their children, families, students and neighbors, thereby building a resilient society, which can stand up against any threat either of radicalization or of extremism. The Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) intends to undertake a project to build capacity of the female teachers to counter the process of radicalization and violent extremism by providing structured knowledge, capacity, platforms and network.