This month's newsletter highlights our most recent global north-south conversation. Mossarat Qadim, an expert on gender and rehabilitation and reintegration in Pakistan, shared her experience and expertise regarding the complicated but necessary tasks of rehabilitating and reintegrating former militants. This series aims to enhance discourse between countries in the Global South and those in the Global North on important topics such as conflict, violent extremism, gender, and human rights, among others. As a part of our mission at Transformative Peace, we view this initiative as an important part of cultivating more effective approaches to conflicts and crises and highlighting diverse perspectives. These approaches prioritize inclusivity, a focus on human rights, and the integration of diverse perspectives. Consequently, this series serves to elevate the voices of the global south in a predominantly western-centric media environment. Please enjoy our third of such conversations with Mossarat Qadim. If you are interested in further transformative conversations, hers and other contributions in this series highlighting scholars and experts from the global south, can be found here.
* The views and opinions expressed in this content are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Transformative Peace. The Author is solely responsible for the content shared.
What does your organization, PAIMAN, do?
PAIMAN Alumni Trust is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that provides a dynamic platform for civic action, fostering positive change through community empowerment, mobilization and advocacy.
PAIMAN’s youth de-radicalization, rehabilitation and re-integration initiative is indigenous and unique in its approach and application, as the community takes ownership of the whole process, which is conducted outside the prison. PAIMAN is a pioneer organization in the field of Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), Inclusive Peace Education, and the Women Peace and Security agenda in Pakistan. It has also received international recognition for its innovative model of neutralizing extremist tendencies through community mediation, active citizenship, and its empowered community peace structures referred to as Women and Youth TOLANAs.
PAIMAN’s alternate narrative to counter extremist narrative is rooted in local culture and Islamic tradition. All training manuals of PAIMAN integrate the modern peace theories with local peace literature, folklore and Quranic scripts.
PAIMAN helps foster community resilience in a host of other ways as well, including:
The empowerment of educated and semi-literate youth and women from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to emerge as leaders.
Mobilizing and assisting communities to tackle the impacts of climate change
Empowering marginalized groups, ensuring their voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their unique contributions are valued.
Engagement with parliamentarians, traditional and religious leaders, political parties, teachers, youth, women's groups, and individuals with disabilities
The utilization of social media, radio, television, and interactive Street Theatre to disseminate information and raise awareness across Pakistan.
What are some of the main challenges you have encountered, in both PVE and rehabilitation and reintegration more specifically?
PAIMAN has encountered a myriad of formidable challenges in its efforts to Prevent Violent Extremism (PVE) and facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals. Among the most significant are:
Deeply entrenched cultural and social norms in our target areas
Volatile security situations, including threats and acts of violence by extremist groups
In 2009 two staff members were abducted by the Taliban. Their release, secured after four days of intense negotiations, underscored the persistent risks we face.
Bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of coordination among various governmental and non-governmental stakeholders
A shrinking operational space for NGOs
Stigma and social exclusion
Insufficient resources and funding
What role does trust play in rehabilitation and reintegration work?
For successful rehabilitation and reintegration, trust at two levels is pivotal: the community's trust and the radicalized youth's trust. This dual trust fosters the establishment of meaningful relationships between the youth and NGO practitioners, creating an environment where open communication and mutual respect can thrive. PAIMAN’s model of engaging the entire community through Women and Youth TOLANAs has proven highly effective in creating a safe and supportive atmosphere. By involving the community, PAIMAN ensures that rehabilitated youth receive the acceptance and support essential for their successful reintegration.
In essence, trust is the cornerstone of the entire rehabilitation process, making it more sustainable and effective. It facilitates the building of meaningful connections, fosters a supportive environment, and ensures the community’s and youth’s buy-in, all of which are critical for the long-term success of de-radicalization and reintegration efforts.
How do you navigate stigma surrounding your line of work? What is the community reaction to your programming?
Initially, there were many reservations and skepticism, concerning our work, especially the stigma associated with violent extremism and radicalization alongside concerns about NGOs working with a western agenda. However, PAIMAN engaged in extensive community outreach and dialogue to build trust and foster understanding, emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of extremism by providing trainings in leadership, mediation, advocacy and socio-economic empowerment. Theses program has infused new confidence in women and youth who have emerged as leaders, negotiating, mediating conflict, advocating for issues affecting them and representing their communities effectively.
PAIMAN collaborates with local leaders, to legitimize their efforts and ensure cultural sensitivity. They also utilize evidence-based research to highlight the effectiveness of their interventions and educate the public on the benefits of their initiatives. Through Women and Youth TOLANAs, PAIMAN empowers local communities by involving them in the development and implementation of PVE strategies, ensuring that these efforts are seen as collaborative. This participatory approach has fostered a sense of ownership and collaboration, making our initiatives more effective and accepted. Success stories have further reinforced community support. Through these strategies, PAIMAN has shifted communities’ perceptions and has fostered a more positive and supportive environment for all its interventions.
How do gender norms and biases impact your kind of work?
Gender norms and biases profoundly impact PAIMAN’s efforts, significantly shaping participation, perception, and the overall effectiveness of our initiatives. In the traditional societies where PAIMAN operates, entrenched gender roles marginalize women, severely restricting their mobility and excluding them from critical decision-making processes at multiple levels. The mere act of a woman stepping out of her home to engage in NGO programs is considered a taboo. This exclusion not only undermines the potential contributions of women but also perpetuates systemic gender inequalities.
We recognized that neglecting gender dynamics risks overlooking critical drivers of radicalization, which in turn perpetuate cycles of extremism. Consequently, we developed a culturally sensitive strategy to involve women in our initiatives. Through persistent dialogue with male community influencers, local religious and political leaders, and respected elder women in the community, PAIMAN successfully earned their trust and respect. This approach enabled us to make significant inroads into households, fostering an environment where women’s participation in our programs became more accepted and valued. By addressing these deep-rooted gender biases, PAIMAN not only enhances the effectiveness of its interventions but also promotes a more inclusive and equitable approach to peacebuilding and community resilience.
How do you and your organization address the unique needs of women and youth?
PAIMAN addresses the unique needs of women and youth through empowerment, education, and inclusion. For women, we focus on enhancing their understanding of issues related to violent extremism and radicalization, emphasizing their critical role in addressing these challenges. We build their leadership capacities and equip them with skills in mediation, advocacy, and networking. Additionally, we create economic opportunities by providing vocational training and connecting them with national and international markets. For youth, PAIMAN offers peace education programs, leadership training, and skill development workshops. Our initiatives emphasize active citizenship and social responsibility, encouraging young people to take on leadership roles and contribute positively to their communities.
PAIMAN also ensures that its programs are inclusive and culturally sensitive, addressing the specific challenges faced by women and youth in different contexts. By fostering a supportive environment and providing tailored resources, PAIMAN helps these groups overcome barriers, realize their potential, and become agents of change in their communities.
Do you use former extremists in your interventions? What kind of challenges and opportunities does the use of former extremists pose?
We do incorporate former extremists into our interventions, recognizing both the unique challenges and significant opportunities this approach presents. Former extremists, speaking from personal experience, lend unparalleled credibility to their message, making them relatable to individuals who are radicalized or may be vulnerable to radicalization. They offer invaluable insights into the mechanisms of radicalization and recruitment. This knowledge proved instrumental in helping us develop more effective prevention and intervention strategies. Our experience shows that their involvement significantly enhances trust in PAIMAN within communities, fostering greater cooperation and participation in our programs.
The involvements of former extremists do pose security risks, both for the individuals themselves and for PAIMAN itself. Ensuring their safety while maintaining the trust of the community is a delicate balance as the communities very often doubt former extremists' sincerity and intentions. To address these challenges, PAIMAN provides thorough training and support for former extremists involved in our programs, ensuring they are well-prepared and supported. We also engage in continuous dialogue with communities to build trust and understanding, and we implement robust security measures to protect all participants.
What are some of the most important lessons you found in your decades of work in peacebuilding? Any advice for young women leaders?
In our decades of work in peacebuilding, one of the most important lessons we've learned is the critical value of a community’s trust. Effective peacebuilding requires listening to and involving all segments of the community, especially those who are often marginalized. Building trust, fostering local ownership, and ensuring cultural sensitivity are key to sustainable impact. Addressing the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, lack of education and awareness, and social inequality, is also essential for long-term peace.
For aspiring young women leaders, our advice is to eschew shortcuts and commit wholeheartedly to hard work and persistent effort in achieving your goals. It is imperative to remain steadfast and confident in your abilities, trusting in your unique perspectives and strengths. Seek out mentorship and support networks to bolster your journey, and be relentless in advocating for inclusivity and equality. Understand that true leadership lies in empowering others and fostering a spirit of collaboration. Your role is transformative in shaping a more just and peaceful world. Embrace the challenges, stay resilient in the face of adversity, and always remember that your contributions are essential in driving meaningful change and inspiring future generations.
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