International Conference on Women and Jihad: Radicalisation, De-radicalisation and Human Rights

to be held at the University of Western Australia (Perth) on 11-12 September 2015.

The conference will develop understanding of the role Muslim women play as agents of radicalisation or de-radicalisation in contemporary world, and its impact on human rights especially of women and children. It seeks to explore how Muslim women have either participated as supporters and combatants of what they identify as jihad, or actively resisted efforts to use religious injunctions for engaging in militancy. The ultimate aim is to shed light on the impact of conflict on women and children, and develop a set of ideas on how Muslim women can work collaboratively with non-Muslim partners to ensure that religion is not misused for militant purposes.

Speakers from a number of countries and Australia will share their perspectives on these important questions.

Speakers include:

Senator The Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services
Keynote Speech

Ms Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
Video address

Ms Amina Rasul, University of the Philippines
Title: Female Combatants of the Bangsamoro Struggle 

Professor Amin Saikal, The Australian National University

Dr Leila Ben Mcharek, Centre for Muslim States and Societies, UWA
Title: Post Revolution Emergence and Growth of Jihadi Salafism in Tunisia

Ms Huma Chughtai, The Institute for Inclusive Security, Pakistan
Title: Role of Women and State Institutions in Preventing Radicalisation in Pakistan

Dr Najib Azca, University of Gadjah Mada
Title: Indonesia, Jihad in Indonesia: Women’s Role

Ms Sara Mahmood, Research Analyst
International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
Title: Cyber Radicalization: The Appeal of the Islamic State in Iraq & Syria (ISIS) for Women

Ms Rabia Siddique, Humanitarian, Author and Speaker
Title: Women as agents for change in the face of militancy, radicalisation and conflict

Professor Sam Makinda, Murdoch University
Title: Terrorism in the Horn of Africa: Women’s Agency

Professor Samina Yasmeen, The University of Western Australia

Professor Tahmina Rashid, University of Canberra
Title: Women and De-radicalisation in Pakistan

Professor Ulrich Kropiunigg, Medical University of Vienna
Title: Mothers’ Agency as an Effective Alternative to War on Terror

Mr Peter Nicholson, Australian Red Cross WA IHL Committee member and former Chief of Investigations for the United Nations Investigations Committee in Lebanon

Ms Jessica Hazelwood, Victorian Coordinator, International Humanitarian Law, Australian Red Cross

Prof. Greg Barton, Herb Feith Research Professor for the Study of Indonesia and Director, International, of the Global Terrorism Research Centre at Monash University
Title: The allure of the Islamic State movement and Australian women: understanding IS’ power of attraction and how

Convener: Professor Samina Yasmeen, Director, Centre for Muslim States and Societies

For further information: Azim Zahir, PhD Student and Research Assistant, CMSS
E: azim.zahir@uwa.edu.au

Dates: 11 to 12 September 2015
Times: 4.00PM to 8.00PM, 11 September
9.00AM to 5.00PM, 12 September
Venue: University Club, University of Western Australia, Crawley Campus