Radicalization and gender - what we know and what not

22 November 2024

The literature on gender and radicalization has grown steadily over the last decade. However, research on the topic has largely focused on the experiences of women, particularly those women and girls who have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State. This has created a number of gaps in research - which have also translated into gaps in practice.

In their report for the renowned ICCT (International Centre for Counter-Terrorism), Eva Herschinger and co-authors Joanna Cook, Seran de Leede and Anna-Maria Andreeva identify the most important trends in research on gender and radicalization between 2014 and 2024 and highlight the areas that are still under-researched. The report derives specific recommendations for closing the gaps in research, which are also geared towards the needs of practitioners.

The report is part of a three-part series consisting of a further report dealing with the need for gender perspectives in the prevention of and defense against (violent) extremism, the gaps in practice and an analysis of the gender-based mobilization strategies of violent extremist organizations.

The report, co-authored by Eva Herschinger, can be found here.