The Netherlands and UN Women jointly promote women's leadership in Indonesia’s 'peace villages'

Jakarta, Indonesia – The Netherlands and UN Women Indonesia launched a three-year partnership today to expand an innovative programme in which women take the lead in keeping communal peace in 20 villages in Indonesia.

The new partnership aims to strengthen defences against violent extremism and radicalization in the Peace Villages, home to about 317,000 people. The Netherlands and UN Women will support government officials and youth groups in efforts to have more women participate in policymaking and implementing local government plans on preventing extremism.

The partnership was launched at the residence of the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands prior to International Women's Day.

Lambert Grijns, Ambassador of the Kingdom of The Netherlands to Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor-Leste, said, " Empowering women in building peaceful and resilient communities is key to sustainable peace and security."

"When women and girls are empowered, communities and entire societies thrive," said Jamshed Kazi, UN Women Indonesia Representative and Liaison to ASEAN. "Our dynamic partnership with the Netherlands will be vital in advocating and supporting women and girls in communities, to support the Government of Indonesia's commitments towards achieving [the United Nations] Sustainable Development Goals to promote gender equality and peaceful and inclusive societies."

UN Women and Wahid Foundation, of Indonesia, started the Peace Villages project in 2017. By declaring themselves as Peace Village, communities agree to take steps to prevent violence, promote tolerance and social unity, and empower women to take central roles in all these efforts.

At today's partnership launch, the Peace Village was presented as a model for sustaining peace. Civil society groups, including AMAN Indonesia and Wahid Foundation, and a youth representative, discussed further steps to jointly promote women's leadership in preventing violent extremism.