Aurat Foundation organized a three-day training workshop on "Transforming Violent Extremism for Women Peace" Architects of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab on 19-21 March 2022 at Masonite Hotel, Lahore. Through the training, WAPs improved individuals' attitudes and practices on identity and understanding of conflict and violence, increased sensitization about the impact of violence, sensitized about women's role in peacebuilding and women's inclusion in public spheres and developed their action plans

In the closing ceremony of three-day workshop, Dr. Raana Malik, Chairperson Gender Studies Department of the University of Punjab addressed as a Chief Guest. She said that when we talk about inclusiveness it means the inclusion of all types and kinds of gender. She further said that women are an important part of the peace-making process. But even when women are included in these processes they don't have any say or any right to decision-making. She said that just the inclusion of women in the system is not important but the role of these women and their participation is equally important.

Dr. Malik said that more capacity-building workshops like these should be conducted. She added that there are two types of inclusion, one is of the women who come on reserved seats, they have no decision-making or no right to speak and no one takes them seriously but on the other hand, there are women who contest, and get a position on merit. They are respected and asked for discussions. We need to make the women aware and empower them to contest for general seats. Mr. Naeem Mirza, Executive Director of Aurat Foundation said that we need to empower our women so that they are able to make decisions that are beneficial for themselves and other women. He said that such training workshops are important in furthering the CVE agenda and there is a need of the hour because of the extremist and intolerant society we find ourselves in. He also thanked Dr. Raana Malik and the gathered participants and said that we will continue to make efforts to empower the women of this country.

Ms. Mumtaz Mughal said that the training will increase the coordination and collaboration among women peace architects, government and civil society stakeholders, and cultural influencers in responding to violent extremism and conflict.