Section outline
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One’s gender can be a barrier to inclusion within efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism.
Image Source: Conciliation Resources and SaferWorld. 2020. ‘’Facilitation Guide Gender Sensitive Conflict Analysis. October 2020. https://rc-services-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/GSCA%20manual%20full%20WEB.pdf
Gender traditionally consists of the culturally and socially constructed differences between men and women and the unequal power relations that result. Individuals who identify as non-binary feel their gender cannot be defined within the margins of gender binary. They feel their gender in a way that goes beyond simply identifying as a man or woman. Your gender affects the way conflicts are experienced and responded to, including within efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism. Due to social norms, which can act as a community’s guidelines to what is deemed as ‘acceptable’ behavior, as well as gender stereotypes, or how one’s community perceives the role of traditionally women and men should be within P/CVE efforts, women and young women particularly struggle to participate and lead in such community efforts. For example, if communities believe that only men should have the role of leaders within these efforts and women’s roles being that of in the home.