3 September 2025
The last decade has seen sub-Saharan Africa fall victim to a myriad of terrorist activities, including violent extremism conducive to terrorism. The region accounts for nearly half of global terrorism deaths, with countries in East Africa facing persistent threats from forces which exploit local grievances and conflicts.
These threats affect women in the region in different ways. In many contexts, women have taken on active roles to further violent extremism conducive to terrorism as propagandists, intelligence gatherers, and combatants. At the same time, women and girls are often among the first victims of such activities and are subject to abduction, sexual violence, and stripped of rights.
However, women have also been critical to peacebuilding and prevention efforts in East Africa. For example, women-led initiatives on community peace structures have been key to tackling violence and radicalization at the local level. Despite these contributions, there still exist significant barriers which hinder the full participation of women in preventing and countering violent extremism conducive to terrorism (P/CVE) in the region.
To help address the underrepresentation of women in P/CVE in East Africa, the East Africa Capacity-Building Working Group (EA WG) – co-chaired by Kenya and Kuwait – organized an in-person activity in Nairobi, Kenya. Bringing together governments, civil society, academics, and other relevant experts, the activity aimed to drive awareness among policymakers and practitioners of the various roles women play regarding violent extremism conducive to terrorism. It also examined the current gaps in regional P/CVE efforts that stem from inadequate gender inclusion.
Additionally, the activity featured an interactive ‘community solutions exposition’ which equipped stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to integrate a gender perspective into P/CVE programs. A gender-sensitive approach, increasingly recognized by research and international policy, is vital to understanding that women are not only victims or bystanders, but also integral to designing effective prevention strategies.
Enhancing the role of women in P/CVE was identified as a priority area that aligns with key terrorism and violent extremism threats in East Africa by the EA WG in their 2024–2026 Work Plan. Kenya and Kuwait, in their capacities as Working Group Co-Chairs, will continue to support necessary capacity-building efforts against the terrorist threat in the region.