Search for Common Ground, in collaboration with Aurat Foundation (AF) and Kadam Communications and Consultants (KCC), started implementing the project “SHE – The Peacebuilder” – Women Inclusion in Transforming Violent Extremism in September 2021. This 36-month project aims to enhance women’s role and influence in peacebuilding and transforming violent extremism in Pakistan.
Context
Violent extremism has wreaked a terrible toll on Pakistani society and represents one of the greatest threats to peace and security in the country. The Pakistani government has strengthened its efforts towards transforming violent extremism (TVE), by taking a more holistic approach, such as educational reforms, promotion of culture, and media engagement. Nonetheless, such approaches lacked wide and robust engagement with women, youth, and marginalized ethnoreligious groups, leaving major socio-economic and political grievances unaddressed.
In particular, women have historically been marginalized or completely excluded from policy development and decision-making processes on TVE, despite the fact that they represent 50% of Pakistan’s population and have essential contributions to make to the fight against violent extremism. A major barrier to women’s participation is that many women active in politics, civil society, cultural sectors, as well as media industries still lack the capacity and confidence to engage in policy and decision-making processes, especially on sensitive issues such as TVE. They need capacity building not only in political rights but also in communication and facilitation skills to be able to take initiative for a women-oriented agenda and increase both their representation and influence in various governmental institutions. Another key barrier to women’s participation is the exclusionary nature of the government agencies, not to mention the deeply ingrained harmful norms and cultural taboos hindering women’s participation. In the face of these challenges, this project will increase the women’s capacity and agency as peacebuilders in Pakistan, forming a cohort of Women Peace Architects (WPA). Simultaneously the project will aim at fostering a more conducive environment to their participation in TVE platforms. Partnering with Aurat Foundation and Kadam Communications and Consultants Private Limited, this project will be held across Pakistan, including the regions of Balochistan and Sindh.
Theory of Change
IF Women Peace Architects (WPAs) are capacitated to participate in TVE and peacebuilding processes AND coordination and collaboration among WPAs increase, TVE stakeholders and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism is improved. THEN TVE policy development and implementation processes will become more inclusive, resulting in more sustainable and comprehensive solutions to violent extremism in Pakistan.
Core Objectives and Activities
Search seeks to enhance women’s role and influence in peacebuilding and transforming violent extremism in Pakistan. This will be achieved by increasing the capacity of WPAs to participate in conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes by providing WPAs with training sessions, seed grants to implement projects in their communities, and opportunities for them to engage with one another through Women´s TVE Circles. The project’s objective will also be achieved through enhancing the coordination and collaboration among WPAs, government, civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict, through supporting WPAs to convene consultative working groups, creating radio and social media campaigns, and organizing a global online webinar.
Results Achieved
1. 75 WPAs from diverse religious, ethnic, geographical, linguistic, and professional backgrounds were trained in transforming violent extremism and conflict resolution. The inclusive approach of the project ensured the participation of traditionally marginalized groups, including women with disabilities and transwomen, ensuring representation from all segments of society. In the final evaluation, 87% of WPAs reported that the project’s training enhanced their knowledge and skills in peacebuilding. “
2. A support network across Pakistan was built among WPAs with diverse backgrounds and key stakeholders involved in conflict resolution and transforming violent extremism. The final evaluation shows 73.5% of WPAs reported a significant improvement in their collaboration with women of other ethnic backgrounds after participating in the project activities.
“This project not only empowered us to stand for peace and work toward a future free of violence, but it also united us. This sisterhood has become a movement, and together, we are redefining what it means to be a woman in our community.” – WPA
3. 61 out of 75 WPAs participated in peacebuilding efforts in their communities through the implementation of 33 community action grants, reaching over 13,000 people across Pakistan. The grants further built the capacity of the WPAs, where they applied their knowledge and skills gained from previous project activities, empowering them as agents of change in Pakistan.
“One of the key takeaways from this project has been the development of leadership skills and the ability to mobilize communities with limited resources. This project has shown me that peacebuilding doesn’t rely solely on financial support or external resources; it’s about empowering communities to take ownership of their own development and peace initiatives, like I did by organizing the girl’s hockey match in Haripur.”– WPA from Haripur
Check this story to read the full impact of this WPAs project on inclusion of female athletes.
Check this video to see a WPAs community action grant in Swat region and this video to see a WPAs action grant in Lahore.
4. A national conference was held in Islamabad, where WPAs engaged and collaborated with a variety of government and civil society stakeholders on transforming violent extremism-related issues. The WPAs shared their own success stories of their community action grant projects, along with some recommendations to bridge the gaps in countering violent extremism laws and policies they identified during the project’s activities, such as Consultative Working Groups and TVE circles. TVE circles provided WPAs a space to gather and discuss challenges directly relating to women in TVE, and how women can be more involved in countering violent extremism in Pakistan, while CWGs provided a platform for WPAs to discuss these issues with other stakeholders, including authorities, scholars, and civil society actors. Two main series of recommendations emerged from these discussions: those that focused on changing the ecosystem to be more favorable towards women’s inclusion; and those that focused on directly increasing women’s role in transforming violent extremism and peacebuilding. These latter recommendations have already led to 7 WPAs being nominated for Dispute Resolution Councils and 11 other applications under progress.
Check this story to read how a WPAs action grant led to her participation in an Alternative Dispute Resolution committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“I never thought that an average woman like me could contribute to peacebuilding efforts. As a writer or social media activist, I can also influence change. This project taught me that every individual has a responsibility in countering violence and extremism and we applied this learning in our organization .”– WPA 
5. A social media campaign consisting of one song, 23 thematic illustrations, 10 public service messages, 5 animated stories, 14 reels, 3 TikTok videos, and 30 live radio shows highlighted the importance of women’s participation in conflict resolution, countering violent extremism, and peacebuilding. The media campaign reached 2,235,069 people in Pakistan and even beyond, with some followers from other countries, such as Bangladesh.
“The media often reinforces negative perceptions of conflict-affected areas, further fueling isolation and prejudice. However, the project aimed to counter these narratives by encouraging tolerance and understanding, helping participants create pathways toward peaceful coexistence and undermining the spread of violent extremism, even through small but meaningful changes in mindset and behavior.”– WPA
6. A global online webinar was organized that highlighted the key achievements, best practices, and lessons learned from the project with 70+ practitioners representing 51 countries. Two WPAs shared their experiences from the project, explaining how the project improved their skills and confidence to facilitate collaboration and prevent conflict.
