“Taa-Marbouta”: Enhancing the role of women in peace-building and conflict resolution in Al Tapqqa

In light of the complexities of the political, social and economic situation and the security-related challenges that Al-Raqqa is experiencing in its cities and rural areas after the heavy legacy that left behind ISIS. Women are on the front lines and are very much dependent on the idea of ​​peace, renunciation of violence and hatred. They have a greater hope of having an active role in fixing and resolving conflicts in a peaceful manner.
To address this difficult situation, Taa Marbouta realized that mothers should be sensitized and educated in order to combat extremist ideology, based on the prevailing societal belief that the mother is responsible for the ethics and values ​​acquired to children and for instilling a sense of responsibility for positive human relationships in the family And society.
To this end, on 12/08/2018, the Foundation organized an Empowerment Training for Women in the city of Al-Tapqqa in the governorate of Raqqa under the title “Women’s Participation in Conflict Resolution and Situations of Extremism and Violence” with 4 training hours. The training sought to emphasize the role of women in conflict resolution as well as to provide participating women with the necessary tools for this practice.

“Hanan Mohammed,” Media and Communication Officer at Taa Marbouta Foundation, said that the organization is organizing training workshops for the women’s needs and in order to involve them in building their local communities and to play an active role in them.
With regard to the workshop today, “Mohammed” said that the workshop aims to provide women with the necessary knowledge on the resolution of conflicts and civil peace and enhance their self-confidence to become actors in their families and society. Through the trainer and the training paragraphs, we wanted to build their critical thinking capacity so that they could identify the signs of violent extremism in individuals and in their public communities and find ways to address this early warning by encouraging dialogue and building community peace. We have increased women’s awareness of the ability to influence the lives of their children, provide guidance to them and prevent them from engaging in extremist activities.

“Mohammad Ali Othman” the workshop trainer at the end of the training, told Aso news network:that ” Through the training material we presented today, we tried to focus on the terms of peace and civil peace, reject hatred and renounce violence and extremism in all its forms, including religious. Clips, stories and real experiences a panel discussion was organized”. With regard to women’s participation and women’s interaction with training, Ali explained that the training was very good and the women’s response was excellent and there was a lot of discussion on the topics that were put forward. ”
Adding that the region is men and women need more workshops and empowerment courses that focus on the concepts of non-violence, hatred and peaceful coexistence.
“The activity was useful and the trainer was able with his tools and style to enrich our knowledge more, so the more we learn the more we show the shortage that we had more,” said Rachida Mohammed, one of the participants.
Stressing that this type of training contributes to the development of human tools and increases his experience and knowledge, especially in areas that have suffered from the control of ISIS, more training means more awareness.

It is worth noting that Taa-Marbouta Foundation organizes monthly training activities, mostly targeting women, especially in areas that have been under ISIS control, with the aim of helping them and providing them with the knowledge necessary to start a new post-liberation life through specialized trainers. All of that to anticipate to build healthy communities that renounce violence, hatred and extremism and advocate for peace and coexistence.