The role of women in violent extremism in Kenya

Women play a myriad of roles in violent extremism, but their involvement is nuanced and impervious to generalisation.

Recruiters, spies, cooks and cleaners. These are just a few of the indirect roles women play in violent extremist groups such as al-Shabaab. The full extent of their involvement remains unknown, including their more direct role as perpetrators of violent extremist acts in Kenya. The indirect roles women play appear to be more prominent and are connected to the individual, socioeconomic, cultural and political contexts. Yet their involvement remains deeply nuanced and impervious to generalisation.

About the authors

Irene Ndung’u joined the ISS in 2008 and holds an MA in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her research interests cover women, gender, peace and security.

Uyo Salifu joined the ISS in 2012 and holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Pretoria. Her work focuses on terrorism in West Africa and countering violent extremism.

Picture: UNFPA/Douglas Waudo