Dr. Reham Salama, the Executive Director of Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), participated in a panel discussion convened by the Egyptian Youth Council as part of the National Program to Combat Extremism and Intellectual Polarization in light of the 16-day campaign addressing violence against women, under the slogan "Violence against Women: a Spark for Extremism and Radicalism."
The AOCE Executive Director expounded upon the underlying factors contributing to violence against women, which encompass addiction, psychological disorders, inadequate education, discrimination, age difference among spouses, among others. She highlighted that all these motives, and more, incited violence against women in some societies, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Sudan, Chad, and others. Hence, she stressed imperative of raising awareness to support women who are victims of violence and to implement legal frameworks that safeguard their rights.
Dr. Reham addressed the ideological frameworks employed by extremist organizations in their targeting of women, exploiting their vulnerabilities, and disseminating tailored messages that resonate with diverse categories of women their psychological predispositions. Therefore, she warned against the dangers of religious illiteracy and its role in the recruitment of women into extremist organizations. At the end of the workshop, the Egyptian Youth Council honored Dr. Reham Salama, Executive Director of AOCE, by presenting her with the Council's Shield in recognition of her distinguished contributions to the campaign against violence directed at women.