De-radicalising the women of Boko-Haram

Abstract

State military methods as part of counterterrorism have repeatedly shown that they are inherently flawed and continue to incite further violent extremism. Terrorist organisations are created and flourish in areas and communities that are severely socio-economically deprived and alienated from a state government. Global actors must look at reasons behind radicalisation in communities and establish general frameworks for de-radicalisation as part of peaceful counterterrorism. To improve contemporary counterterrorism, it is crucial to investigate what roles gender play in radicalisation and de-radicalisation since contemporary terrorist organisations employ men and women to carry out acts of extreme violence. Boko Haram is emblematic to contemporary terrorism and the organisation’s methods and successes suggest how contemporary counterterrorism should look like to create successful frameworks of de-radicalisation. This paper investigates three Nigerian de-radicalisation programmes and shows that their view of gender should be neutral to improve their methods and results. The basis of analysis in this thesis is how structural views of women in Nigeria affect de-radicalisation programmes. Furthermore, this paper argues that the programmes’ theoretical approaches to de-radicalisation are mainly based on countering individual recidivism, without widely de-radicalising communities. By highlighting deeply rooted patriarchal structures in Nigeria, this paper suggests that the Nigerian Government has partly failed in its struggle with Boko Haram due to its refusal to view female Boko Haram members as perpetrators of violent extremism. Finally, this paper shows that gender-neutrality and governmental recognition of women as important figures in Boko Haram and as practitioners in de-radicalisation programmes are essential to improving contemporary counterterrorism measures.