Halima Golicha is the chair of Isiolo Women of Faith, an affiliate of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya. She is also a member of the Isiolo County Committee on the prevention and countering of violent extremism. Halima is passionate about the rights of marginalized communities from the Northern Frontier. She works closely with women who promote the rights of the girl child in largely patriarchal communities; and works with youth in mentorship and promotion of intergenerational exchange of knowledge. Halima works with a group of women who have lost their sons to alleged radicalization into terrorist groups. She offers refuge from the stigmatization, and debriefing sessions as well as speaking against the extrajudicial killings of youth in the name of security operations. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Promoting Use of Alternative Justice Systems to Counter Violent Extremism

This project enabled local actors to counter violent extremism by integrating the use of alternative justice systems through a collaborative effort involving inter-faith leaders, Councils of Elders of the five main communities in Isiolo County: Borana, Somali, Turkana, Samburu, and Meru, and the County Security and Intelligence Committee. Inter-faith and traditional leaders in Isiolo County participated in a workshop where they were trained to adopt the use of alternative justice systems in countering violent extremism. A joint protocol was developed among the County Security and Intelligence Committee, the inter-faith and traditional leaders for use of alternative justice systems. An additional workshop created a safe space for participants and at-risk youth to share their experiences and how violent extremism has affected their lives socially, economically and mentally. A 10-minute video documentary was created on alternative justice systems in countering violent extremism. 

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Halima participated in the IVLP Project Countering Violent Extremism-Community Strategies organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with Global Ties Detroit, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, and the International Institute of Wisconsin.

Halima's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "The IVLP gave me the opportunity to virtually meet with participants from other countries from inter-faith communities, security agencies, and civil societies working to counter violent extremism. I was able to interact with them and draw different lessons and approaches."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually 

Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; Detroit, MI; Madison, WI

Country: Kenya

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