In April 2017, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific began implementing one of UN Women’s largest programmes on preventing violent extremism “Empowered Women, Peaceful Communities”, with a focus on Indonesia and Bangladesh. The programme is engaging in pioneering work by building understanding of women’s diverse roles in violent extremism, including as promoters or preventers. Through the programme, UN Women is working with women at the community level to support their empowerment as a key strategy for building social cohesion.