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Seek to unify, not divide
Never assume that a particular individual or group will be opposed to certain ideas before engaging them in discussion. Often they can be won over, once they understand the real objective of an intervention and its benefit to the community. Moreover, opportunities to reconcile seemingly opposing views may emerge through dialogue. In Bangladesh, the same religious leaders who were at first opposed to a project later turned into staunch advocates, once they understood the rationale behind it. In Morocco, conservative political and religious groups were specifically targeted for sensitization on a national strategy to combat violence against women. Direct confrontation with groups known to oppose equalrightsforwomenwasavoided.However,tieswith these groups were never severed so that the door would remain open to possible dialogue. |
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