A vibrant and sustainable democracy is underpinned by the democratic ideals of equality and human rights. While democracies should ideally promote and protect the equal rights of all women and men, global developments and security challenges such as violent extremism and terrorism limit the full enjoyment of such rights. Yet few studies have examined the relationship between gender and violent extremism and terrorism. This is notwithstanding extensive debate on gender in studies relating to conflict, especially on the interconnections between the status of women, gender equality and violent conflict.

Researchers have argued that ‘terrorism and violent extremism are highly gendered activities’. Understanding how gender dynamics might perpetuate inequalities and have an impact on fundamental human rights could play an important role in guiding responses to these challenges. Understanding how, for example, the status of women and men features in their motivations for joining extremist groups, as well as their roles in and the recruitment patterns of such groups, is central to tailoring effective prevention measures.