Women from 13 countries meet in Turkey to counter religious fundamentalism and militarism in the region

The international ICan network of CSOs organized its third regional forum last week in Turkey with the participation of women from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey, Iran, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The seminar focused on combating fundamentalism and militarism.  In covering the event, An Nahar newspaper failed to take notice of the contribution of the Lebanese participants saved for a fleeting mention of the impact of the Syrian displacement and the growing role of parties amidst dysfunctional state institutions and growing power of fundamentalist groups.
The newspaper covered however a number of contributions from other participants who spoke about what their countries were experiencing as a result of the outbreak of extremism and the growing support to ISIS particularly in Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Participants from Arab countries also spoke of the realities of their countries.  Libyan women in exile said that they were on the hit lists of the country that has two cabinets, two parliaments and several powerful militias.  One woman called for the intervention of the international community to stop the inflow of armed terrorists and to support the army and the police so that Libya does not turn into ISIS-land.  Tunisian women also called for support to their army whereas Egyptian women complained from detentions currently taking place, according to an anonymous speaker who feared being detained herself.   Similar positions came from Gaza who continues to suffer from Israeli aggressions and their devastating impacts, as well as similarly as in the case of Tajikistan and Pakistan, from growing support to extremist parties.  According to Syrian participants, women are paying the price of violence and war as they become widows or lose their children or are subject to rape or prostitution to feed their children.  According to the newspaper, and despite the growing action of women in Syria, participants from that country chose to focus on immediate needs, thus giving the impression that their role is limited to humanitarian assistance and that they lack any political vision of the future.
Source: Al-Nahar 18 November 2014