Gendering Security

Efforts toward preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) have been largely male-dominated—led by and directed at men and boys, who are typically assumed the perpetrators of terrorist acts, as well as the subjects best placed to prevent and address them. Young women and girls have often been regarded as peripheral, of relevance only as victims or objects of security measures and concerns. Yet, women and girls do play significant roles in the dynamics of terrorism—as offenders, mobilizers, and enablers of terrorist attacks, as well as active agents in the advancement of counter-narratives to combating violence. This chapter considers the gendered dimensions of terrorism and P/CVE, with a particular focus on girls and young women. It argues that consideration of gender is crucial for understanding the causes and the dynamics of the use of children in terrorism and for developing more effective strategies for prevention.