The Gender Factor In Countering Terrorism In Africa: A Case Study Of Kenya

Abstract

The overall objective of the study was to assess the gender factor in countering terrorism in Africa using Kenya as the case study. The study sought to achieve the following specific objectives; to assess the trends in male and female involvement in terrorist actions in Africa; to analyze the role of gender in the perpetration of terrorism in Kenya; and to examine the role of gender in countering terrorism in Kenya. The first objective, the trends in male and female involvement in terrorist actions in Africa indicated that there are new emerging trends in the 21st century in the role of gender in terrorism. Terrorist and violent extremist organizations have taken advantage by manipulating the stereotyping of gender especially women and their grievances to articulate their terror related activities. This has necessitated critical analysis on a gender-focused study to establish the role that gender plays in violent extremism and terrorism in order to proffer effective gender based counter-terrorism measures. The study revealed that numerous factors influence men and women, boys and girls into acts of violent extremism or drive them into engaging in activities that can lead to terrorism. These acts have diverse impacts on the lives of society as well as on the families of those who are involved and directly or indirectly affects the security of the country. These factors are either intrinsic or extrinsic and include poverty, unemployment, marital relationships and others. The study further discovered that men and women play crucial roles as, financiers, recruiters, radicalizers, spies and sympathizers of violent extremist organizations. They also take part in the actual perpetration and execution of the terrorist actions. The study also revealed the number of youths recruited into Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) had risen significantly. This has presented a great challenge to security agencies in responding to illicit activities of the VEOs. The involvement of women in terrorism has also presented a challenge to the law enforcers since it is not easy to detect a woman terrorist since they pose as innocent citizens while they are actually dangerous terrorists or sympathizers. Men, women, boys and girls have crucial roles to play in prevention of violent extremism and terrorist activities. These roles include mitigation, persuasion, activism, building family ties, nurturing the youth and others. The government needs to come up with youth and women empowerment programmes or enhance the existing ones with a view to insulate these two groups against radicalization and recruitment into violent extremism and terrorist organizations. There is also need to strengthen counter terrorism institutions while enhancing multi agency approach in dealing with the issue of terrorism where all stakeholders including international agencies are incorporated. Additionally, neighbourhood watch programmes available in Kenya such as Nyumba Kumi should be strengthened. In view of all the factors highlighted above, this study recommended that the government of Kenya considers the inclusion of gender factor in formulating new or enhancing existing policies and legal frameworks which deal with radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism