Mothers School

SAVE’s experiences and extensive interviews show that violent extremists undergo a process of radicalisation that others, most significantly their mothers, can often detect. By sensitising and empowering mothers’ self- awareness and confidence to recognize and respond to potential early warning signals in the children’s behaviour, mothers can confront the influence of push and pull factors that can lead their children to violent extremism.

In 2012, SAVE created the first Mothers School, a unique tool to mobilise mothers and translate this non-traditional approach into reality. Through a series of community based mothers’ workshops, women cover diverse themes from psycho-social development, confidence-building, family communication and applied parenting skills learning to channel their children’s fear and frustration into safer, more enriching outlets.

‘Graduating’ mothers are more aware of the signs of radicalisation in their children and potential dangers in their immediate environment. They feel more confident and competent to respond to their children’s needs and provide proper support. Mothers report how they actively engage at the home front to promote non-violent and resilient families and communities.

Contact details:

Media Tower
Taborstrasse 1-3
1020 Vienna
Austria

Edit Schlaffer
Founder and Director
Email: office@women-without-borders.org 
Tel: (+43) 69918587699