Charting a New Course: Women Preventing Violent Extremism
Thought for Action Kit
Our efforts here are intended to engage a discussion on key issues related to the role of women and preventing violent extremism (PVE). This document is not for an academic audience. Nor is it a tool kit. We think of it as a thought kit—a collection of experts' essays and exercises, designed to help guide activists and practitioners to engage in reflection and dialogue on violent extremism. In addition, we hope to bring greater awareness to the particular roles of women and women's organizations in dealing with violent extremist ideologies.
The first section examines the question of gender and why it is important to consider both men and women when addressing violent extremism. The second section deals specifically with women and the dynamics of extremist violence. It invites thinking about women as actors in preventative efforts as well as perpetrators of terrorist acts. Finally, the third section raises issues related to the various ways in which to engage communities, including members of the security sector.
The creation of the thought for action kit, "Charting a New Course: Women Preventing Violent Extremism," has been a team effort. The kit will eventually include a video component with interviews featuring women practitioners on preventing violent extremism. The U.S. Institute of Peace has lead the pilot project "Women Preventing Extremist Violence" in Nigeria and Kenya. Our civil society partner, Women Without Borders, has been the lead on the "Sisters Against Violence Extremism" project in India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Tanzania. This document has three sections. Each section opens with a brief introductory background, followed by short essays by some of the leading experts in this field. Each section also includes exercises that may prove useful for further dialogue.