Jakarta – Research by Forum Koordinasi Pencegahan Terorisme (FKPT, the Terrorism Prevention Coordination Forum) and a number of research institutions in 2020 stated that women, the younger generation, and those active on the internet are vulnerable to radical terrorism.
“FKPT survey 2020. Women of the younger generation and active on the internet recorded a higher index of potential radicalism so that they are vulnerable to exposure to radical narratives,” said the Deputy for International Cooperation of the National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT), Andhika Chrisnayudhanto, in his statement regarding the Joint Synergy to Eradicate Terrorism forum: Gen Z Narratives “Filter Before Sharing” in Jakarta on Wednesday (24/5/2023).
Andika said that the involvement of young women in terrorism has increased in recent years.
The increase in women’s involvement is influenced by many factors, one of which is technological advances.
However, this does not mean that men are not vulnerable to terrorism. Because terror groups take advantage of the vulnerability of society, both men and women, from various social backgrounds, are potentially exposed.
“Therefore, there is a need for synergy in eradicating terrorism to its roots,” said the BNPT Deputy for International Cooperation.
Prasati Perdamaian Foundation founder and terrorism expert Noor Huda Ismail added that eradicating terrorism is not enough to counter narratives and straighten out extreme understanding.
Eradicating terrorism must also manage the technology used in propagating this understanding, in this case social media.
In addition, he continued, digital literacy must also be improved so that people are wise in using social media.
“Social media liberates them (the public) to join (terror groups), as long as they hold a cellphone they can be hit, radicalization does not only talk about understanding but also technology, it needs the cooperation of all parties including information technology managers,” Noor Huda emphasized. (Photo: BNPT Planning, Law and Public Relations Bureau)
