PREVENTING RADICALIZATION AND VIOLENT EXTREMISM AMONG YOUTHS IN MOMBASA

 Based on the research done by Human Right Agenda(HURIA) and Center For Human Rights and Policy Studies (CHRIP) in Mombasa County on 22nd October 2020.The research focussed on the issues of gender differentiation in programming in preventive and countering radicalization and violent extremism(PCVE).

Reports have previously described Mombasa among the epicenter of radicalization and violent extremism in the country as preventive efforts are put in place by involving the vulnerable groups such as youths.

Preventive efforts such as incorporating youths to policy formulation processes, involving them in decision making processes and build drivers and motivators unique to youths which are still unaddressed. Initiatives countering around sports, arts and culture have become prevalent especially in targeting young people such as promoting youth engagement through creative arts,Vision arts,performance arts and participating educative theaters as an aim of countering and preventing radicalization and violent extremism. Such initiatives have played important roles on young people in changing their mind set,behaviors and attitude about life.

Although many youths are interested in being engaged in different programs so that they can be empowered they face challenges such as duplication of programs,lack of synergy among relevant stakeholders , lack of effective programs and insufficient resources  by the state and non state in implementing the programs.

Therefore there is need to address the systematic drivers and motivators of extremism and radicalization among youths in Mombasa County.

Both state and non state actors need to continuously involve youths in the formulation and implementation of PCVE policies.

Evidence based research on the role and effectiveness of sports,arts and culture should be put in place in countering radicalization and violent extremism.

Stakeholders must foster partnerships and collaboration with different stakeholders including Community Based Organisations, Faith based organization and other Organizations in order to avoid duplicating youth centered programs.

Actors must foster a culture of knowledge exchange, in formats on sharing and embrace evidence based programming.

By;

Josephine Mwangecho

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 6, 2021 at 5:43 AM

    I agree but i think more should be done in providing long term projects and training to keep the youths engaged rather than short term projects as COVID-19 has no stipulated time that it will end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo's mitchellJuly 16, 2021 at 11:25 AM

      100% true long term projects are very important but people love the short term goals more because they don't want to sustain their projects so maybe youths need to be dependent

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 7, 2021 at 6:50 AM

    I agree,but mobilizations and awareness should be given priority especially for the youth champions

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo's mitchellJuly 16, 2021 at 11:26 AM

      100% true,the government should prioritise the needs of the youths

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 7, 2021 at 6:56 AM

    This is such a great piece. I also agree more needs to be done especially at the community level. More awareness and it should include youth leaders who are proactive in community work to spearhead the campaigns

    ReplyDelete

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