Activities
29. September 2009
Mothers for Change!
A SAVE (Sisters Against Violent Extremism) Campaign
Mothers for Change! is a new global initiative to empower mothers to sensitize and to mobilize youth being trapped by ideologies of violent extremism. Situated at the critical nexus between family and society, women must be well equipped with the right tools for debate to challenge extremist thinking and must be trained to advocate for alternatives to violent extremism.
Stability and security are the central social and political issues of our era. Mothers are the key to transmitting state-wide preventative measures to the individual level. The inclusion of women will help us to create a new vision, to hear new voices, and to open new avenues of action.
This groundbreaking campaign has two objectives: to enlighten mothers around the world to the implications of their central role in the family for the fight against terrorism, and to provide them with the tools to steer children back on the right path. The SAVE research team will first engage in on-the-ground data collection to collect evidence for needs-based project implementation, and will conduct interviews with mothers, community leaders, safety experts, politicians and think tank representatives to tailor a community-specific empowerment program. Subsequently, Women without Borders and regional SAVE chapters will approach existing mothers’ groups to promote dialogue about and provide mutual support for ending violent extremism, to facilitate the dissemination of key materials, and to hold confidence and competence enhancing workshops for mothers whose children are in danger of moving into extremist groups. The project will provide a platform to interact, compare experiences, and offer examples of successful strategies for social change that lie in the hands of women as mothers.
The Mothers for Change! campaign will initially take place in seven target regions with longstanding connections to terrorist activities, past or present: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, England, and Northern Ireland. Upon the successful establishment of these initial Mothers for Change! groups, Women without Borders will expand the scope of the program to establish a needs-based presence around the world, to create a true global sisterhood dedicated to reorienting youths’ latent energies toward peaceful and constructive activities.
Mothers for Change! takes a proactive approach to countering terrorism. By giving women the tools to take on more authority in the patriarchal domestic and societal structures, they will be able to play a greater role in determining their children’s future. In the short term, Mothers for Change! will impact the group members’ sense of belonging and reduce their sense of isolation. In the medium and long-term, the impact of Mothers for Change! will shift from the individual to her immediate surroundings, creating a wide-spread ripple effect on the deradicalization of youth in the target areas. Rather than reacting to the effects of terrorism after attacks have taken place, Mothers for Change! preempts the radicalization of youth and undercuts the allure of terrorist groups.
