UNODC-supported CAPVE Network members share experiences and lessons learned on rehabilitation and reintegration of women and children returned from conflict zones

5-6 December, 2022, Astana, Kazakhstan 

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Central Asia in cooperation with the Academy of Law Enforcement Agencies under the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Ministry of Information and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan the Public Foundation ‘Aqniet’ convened an annual meeting of the Central Asian Network for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (CAPVE) in Astana, Kazakhstan.

 

The event was organized within the framework of the EU - UN Global Framework “Support to States in Central Asia for Third Country Nationals returned from Syria and Iraq – Security and Accountability Action funded by the European Union.

This year meeting was focused on sharing unique experiences of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the implementation of gender-sensitive and age-specific rehabilitation and reintegration of women and children returned from conflict zones.

Over 110 participants representing various government agencies, civil society organizations, academic and research institutions as well as international partners joined the meeting and contributed to discussions of effective and evidence-based rehabilitation and reintegration strategies.

 

In his welcome speech, Mr. Darkhan Kydyrali, Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted: “Kazakhstan’s experience in dealing with returnees from conflict zones is of great interest to different researchers and representatives of other countries. Our country is ready to openly share this experience and today's meeting of regional network is telling evidence of this.’’

 

UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, Ms. Ashita Mittal called for increased “regional cooperation and capacities in PVE/CVE, exchange of knowledge and good practices for preventing the radicalization to violence, incitement and recruitment of individuals for terrorist purposes and encourage the ‘whole of government’ and ‘whole of society’ approaches in designing and implementing  gender-sensitive and age-specific rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for women and children returned from conflict zones .”   

 

During the discussions, the participants of the CAPVE meeting highlighted that the rehabilitation and reintegration processes were playing an important role and contributing to the empowerment of vulnerable individuals and communities, elevating their potential for a wider socio-economic integration, reducing poverty and marginalization, and ensuring peace and prosperity in Central Asia.

 

Central Asia Network on PVE (CAPVE) was established by UNODC with a generous support of Japan, Germany and Sweden in 2018. Since then, UNODC continues to support and consolidate the CAPVE, aiming to enhance regional cooperation, facilitate networking and the sharing of good practices and internationally recognized PVE approaches. The Network also encourages a whole of society approach to prevent violent extremism conducive to terrorism and better civil society and community engagement in PVE efforts.

 story in Russian language 

***

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)

Communication and PR Specialist at

UNODC Criminal Justice &PVE Programmes

in Central Asia

UNODC PO in the Kyrgyz Republic

+996775987817 WhatsApp or

e-mail: vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org