Section outline
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While a disproportionately high number of males are in extremist groups, women are still susceptible to radicalization and recruitment for a range of reasons similar to men’s, ranging from search for employment or economic independence, family revenge, ideological persuasion or a sense of belonging. In many cases, women and young women experience limited freedoms in offline settings shaped by cultural norms and/or family pressure, which can result in a lack of education and employment opportunities. Limited social ties with peers or opportunities outside the home often lead women and young women to increase engagement in online spaces.
In fact, the number of women implicated in terrorism-related crimes is growing. In 2017, the Global Extremism Monitor registered 100 distinct suicide attacks conducted by 181 female militants, 11% of all incidents that year. In 2016, women constituted 26% of those arrested on terrorism charges in Europe, up from 18% the year before. Given that radicalization is often the culmination of economic, social, and political factors and all of these processes are gendered, so is the pathway of radicalization and disengagement from violent extremism. For example, content, messages and language are characterized by gender stereotypes and/or promote strict gender segregation. Modern extremist groups use social media to actively enlist women into supportive roles, reaching unprecedented numbers through narrowcasting—creating a targeted message for a specific subgroup. For instance, the Islamic State’s concerted campaign to recruit Western women emphasized camaraderie, sisterhood, and opportunities to enjoy freedom and adventure as state-builders.
Terrorist groups also appeal to women through creative outlets. For instance, Al Qaeda released a magazine focusing on women’s jihadist style called Al-Shamikha, which loosely translates to “the majestic woman.” The magazine that offers home and beauty tips alongside testimonials from the wives of suicide bombers and female jihadists. Inside, next to advice on suicide attacks and waging electronic warfare, readers can also find tips on “marrying a mujahideen” or how to get the perfect complexion.
Source: Cover Page of al-Shamikha. Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. https://ctc.westpoint.edu/militant-imagery-project/0300/.
Women also serve as influencers for other women, as well as actual recruiters. One study of online pro–Islamic State groups found that female recruiters had higher network connectivity than men, making them more effective at spreading the Islamic State’s message than their male counterparts— an important finding given that an increasing number of extremists are radicalized online. Women’s participation also improved the survival rate of online pro–Islamic State groups, extending the time before technology companies shut them down. PAVE research shows that while women in the Western Balkans are not actively engaged as vectors of radicalizing messages compared to men, fieldwork has shown that they actively participate in online platforms disseminating radical content. As noted in the case of North Macedonia, there are specific online platform groups and channels dedicated to exclusive content aimed at fostering radical ideologies among women.
Women’s roles vary within P/CVE efforts. Women and young women can be perpetrators and recruiters, as well as preventers and peacebuilders, which puts them also at risk in their activism. And while both men and women can experience incidents of online violence and abuse, women and young women are considerably more likely to be victims of repeated and severe forms of harmful actions online or with the help of technology. Online hate speech and threats within online spaces may be linked to political and ideological positions or stemming from patriarchal systems embedded in local societies. This may include online abuse, harassment, and gendered defamation via social media platforms. Not only does the language incite psychological or even physical harm, it also silences women, limiting their right to express themselves freely and without fear, and deters them from digital participation in political, social and cultural life. Often, it forces women to retreat from the internet and to socially isolate.
Here are six common trends identified of digital violence against women and other marginalized groups include:
- Online attacks with clear manifestation of hate speech
- Online attacks that follow domestic violence
- Online attacks that lead to physical violence
- Online attacks that include or lead to privacy breaches
- Online attacks on publicly exposed women groups, in particular journalists and politicians
- Online attacks on already vulnerable groups, in particular minorities, migrants and members of the LGBTQ community
PVAE research in the MENA region revealed that gender has been disregarded as a cross-cutting element in assessing community vulnerability and resilience towards violent extremism. As the Lebanese case shows, PAVE interviewees, “did not acknowledge or even recognize the gender dimension” in relation to violent extremism, radicalization, and deradicalization! Efforts must be increased to ensure this lens is included in online P/CVE efforts.
Interested in learning more and how to make your P/CVE efforts inclusive of women and young women? Check out PAVE Training Module 3: ‘Advancing Inclusivity in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Efforts.’
