Exploring Violent Extremism through a Gender Lens:   A critical content analysis on the challenges women face in the integration of gender mainstreaming in PCVE initiatives against Al Shabaab in Kenya

This thesis examines the role women play in prevention and countering violent extremism (PCVE) initiatives in Kenya. Currently, the violent extremist group Al Shabaab is predominantly active in Kenya causing unrest and security threats for the nation. Up until this point, PCVE initiatives in Kenya to a large extent lack gender mainstreaming resulting in reduced effectiveness, especially in military operations and countering initiatives. With ongoing conflict, the United Nations Security Council aims to introduce resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Kenya. This would allow women to be active agents in PCVE initiatives like men. The theoretical framework of structural functionalism aims to explain this shortcoming as male dominance is systematically embedded in Kenyan society. The framework claims that traditional roles are assigned to men and women to cover the complexities within society, thus assigning men the role of breadwinners and the providers of...Show moreThis thesis examines the role women play in prevention and countering violent extremism (PCVE) initiatives in Kenya. Currently, the violent extremist group Al Shabaab is predominantly active in Kenya causing unrest and security threats for the nation. Up until this point, PCVE initiatives in Kenya to a large extent lack gender mainstreaming resulting in reduced effectiveness, especially in military operations and countering initiatives. With ongoing conflict, the United Nations Security Council aims to introduce resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Kenya. This would allow women to be active agents in PCVE initiatives like men. The theoretical framework of structural functionalism aims to explain this shortcoming as male dominance is systematically embedded in Kenyan society. The framework claims that traditional roles are assigned to men and women to cover the complexities within society, thus assigning men the role of breadwinners and the providers of security, and women the nurturers and caregivers within domestic settings. This research is based on wide variety of academic literature which is compared and contrasted, dissenting views to enhance the quality of the research. Furthermore, first hand qualitative research will be executed though an interview with a Kenyan PCVE practitioner. The interview highlights from a local perspective why women are predominantly active in preventative measure yet underrepresented in countering initiative. Finally, the interview provides opportunistic methods to mitigate the challenges women face in the integration of gender mainstreaming in all facets of PCVE initiatives on a local and institutional level.Show less

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Exploring Violent Extremism through a Gender Lens: A critical content analysis on the challenges women face in the integration of gender mainstreaming in PCVE initiatives against Al Shabaab in Kenya