Give 15 young people an alternative to extremism

Nabila – a young Peshawari woman – feels that “religious teaching is at odds with modern education” in Northern Pakistan.

This is because the Taliban holds great influence over her community, and argue ''that educating girls spoils the mind”. As such, Peshwari girls educated above primary level are few and far between, and many live in perpetual fear of their local Mullahs as “they could give you Fatwa.”

Despite the constant threat of violence and persecution however, Nabila has begun to attend training sessions with Aware Girls - a local organisation partnered with Peace Direct – who are teaching her and other young Pakistanis how to promote peace, tolerance, and women's rights in their communities.

“I am young and there are other young boys and girls who are trained. We speak for our rights and the right of other young girls. We challenge the teaching of the Mullahs, that way it may take many years, but we can change the attitude.”

Your support helps to create opportunities for young people like Nabila by developing their skills and contributing towards the health, safety, and peacefulness of Peshwari communities.

With your support, we can provide training to more young people like Nabila, and in doing so help them find alternatives to extremism and build peace within their communities.

Thank you. 

''I used to be very shy and cold not face people or raise my voice'' says Johi. She's a young woman from northern Pakistan, a place where the Taliban have great influence, and draw many young people into a life of violence. Their conservative views mean many women lead difficult lives. 

''I was married at the age of 15 when I was still at school. After a few years of marriage, my husband lost his eyesight in an accident. The responsibility to take care of my husband and provide for my whole family fell on my shoulders. I was neither literate nor skilled and did not know where to go or what to do''. 

Having been married so young, Johi faced a very difficult future, made even more difficult by violent militant groups in the area, and their views on women. 

''One of my relatives helped me to become a health worker. Meanwhile, militants in my area forbid women to come out of their homes. This was a hard time''. 

But despite the difficulties, and constant threat of violence, Johi persisted. She started attending training sessions with Aware Girls, a local organisation offering training in peace, tolerance, and women's rights.

''Gradually I started speaking in a smaller group and then a larger group [about women's rights]. Now, I have become a trainer myself and train womenin the community on hygiene, nutrition and an income support programme.

A few years back, one of my relatives was radicalised by listening to a local radio channel. She would not allow the younger girls in the family to go to school, or listen to music. When I found out about this I used my training to speak to her, and convince her of the value of allowing girls to go to school, and express themselves.''

Your support creates opportunities for people like Johi to develop their skills and contribute to health, safety, and peace in their communities. With your support, we can provide training to more young women like Johi, and help them practice peace and enable others to embrace peace within their communities. Like Johi, every individual who benefits from this program can have an exponential impact and inspire others to find alternatives to violent extremism.