Lebanon’s prison cells are home to many extremists. Nancy Yammout and her sister, Maya, decided to reach out to them and see if they could be convinced to move away from their radical and violent pasts.
Author: International Civil Society Action Network
International Civil Society Action Network is a U.S.-based nonprofit whose mission is to support civil society activism in promoting women’s rights, peace and human security in countries affected by conflict, transition and closed political space. ICAN aims to support women’s efforts through bridging the divisions between activists and the policy community, elevating the voices and experiences of women activists, building skills and ensuring the exchange of knowledge and resources.
Peace Heroes: Deeyah Khan is Deconstructing Extremism with Documentary Film
Renowned documentary filmmaker Deeya Khan is recognized as a leader in the entertainment industry and on the human rights and peace-building scene. She spoke to Ms. about her work, her vision and what she’s learned about extremism by confronting it face-to-face.
Peace Heroes: How Psychologist Fatima Akilu Rehabilitated Nigeria’s Extremists
In 2012, Dr. Fatima Akilu was appointed to run Nigeria’s first official counter-extremism program in the wake of Boko Haram’s grip on the nation—and integrated de-radicalization and prevention programs across the prison and education systems.
Building Back Better: Women Peace Activists Offering Governments a Helping Hand
From the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership partners, the success stories of two women, one from Uganda and one from Syria, prove that with persistence and resilience, obstacles can be removed.
Online and On the Ground, Afghan Women are Empowered by Global Feminism
Afghan women have created a network of volunteering feminists from all layers of society, and a silent awakening in the history of Afghan feminism is ongoing
Radicalizing Basra: Fatima Al-Bahadly Was Celebrating a New Dawn in Iraq on Valentine’s Day
Social media in Iraq was awash with aggressive language against the “infidels” and their “sinful” celebrations on the eve of Valentine’s Day. But in Basra, Fatima Al-Bahadly was getting ready to celebrate love and peace.
Peace Heroes: Mobina Jaffer is Canada’s Women, Peace and Security Champion
Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer’s life and career capture the spirit and essence of International Women’s Day. We talked to her about her experiences as a female envoy and mediator and her persistent struggle to ensure women’s participation in peace-making.
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Peace Heroes: Rodolfo Domínguez Márquez Fights Femicide with Accountability in Mexico
Every 24 hours, seven women are murdered in Mexico; the nation ranks 16th in femicide incidences. Rodolfo Domínguez Márquez is a leading figure in the fight to demand accountability on this crisis.
These Pakistani Women Are Cutting Off Extremists’ Resources—One Thread at a Time
Mossarat Qadeem and the Tolana Mothers convinced a dozen women to stop stitching suicide jackets for extremist groups.
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Peace Heroes: How Hamsatu Allamin Changed Boko Haram to Boko Halal
“Nobody else was doing anything, so I said, this is a period where someone has to engage with them. This mad circle of violence has to be stopped. I started my work.”