Young people in Tunisia face a very real risk of becoming radicalised. Many members of Les Scouts Tunisiens have friends and family who have left to fight for extremist causes, so the organisation wants to reverse the trend by promoting peace and tolerance
As the sun sets and the dust settles in the Borj Cedria campsite, Tunisia, groups of Girl Scouts from across the country are getting started on their summer camp activities. Among the trees a set of small white tents can be seen, encircling huddles of smartly dressed Scouts.
As they sit on the floor, chatting excitedly, it’s clear these girls mean business, with some discussing gender-based violence and others focused on how to tackle extremism.Tunisia has been described as “the biggest exporter” of jihadist fighters to date, contributing an estimated 6,000 of its nationals to groups in Iraq and Syria. There are an estimated 1,000 – 1,500 fighting in neighbouring Libya, and dozens of Tunisians fighting in Mali and Yemen.
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The growing numbers of young people travelling to fight has become a major issue in Tunisian society. Having seen a number of boys go to fight, including family members, Les Scouts Tunisiens – part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts – is determined to do something about it.
Leaving to fight
“My cousin left to fight in Syria. We were shocked when we heard the news,” says Girl Scout leader Khouloud, 24. “I saw him a month before he left. I could see a change in him. He was posting a lot of religious stuff on Facebook, but we never expected him to leave.
“In Tunisia, people often say poverty is one of the main causes for people leaving to fight, but I think there’s more to it.
My cousin enjoyed all life had to offer. He wasn’t suffering. He was working hard. We learned he had been brainwashed. He was told he was living a life of sin and he would go to heaven if he lived a certain way.“When he arrived in Syria, he found people were killing each other. It had no relation to our religion. He fled Syria as soon as he could, but was caught in Germany where he was placed in jail. He’s still there and we don’t know when he will come home.”
Khouloud is working with fellow Girl Guide leader Fatma, 28, to try and tackle the issue.
Following the 2011 Tunisian revolution, Fatma witnessed young people leaving in search of what they believed was a better life.
“After the revolution, people changed within themselves. Many were unable to accept the differences in other people. To them, everything felt wrong.
“Six years on, things haven’t changed. Tunisia now has the largest percentage of young people going to fight in Syria, including girls. A large number of boys leave school early, so they can fight. Believe me when I say, they are fighting on the frontline.”
For Fatma, the issue remains a lack of education.
“The education system in…
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