Abstract:
The study involved a conclusive research on women and their involvement in violent extremism activities. The study was carried out in Mombasa Corm°, and its six Sub Counties. The main rationale behind the study was to be able to understand women involvement in violent extremism and the factors contributing to their involvement. The study involved studying the unit of analysis, which was a young woman aged between 18 to 25 years living in any of the Sub Counties of Mombasa County. Participants were identified adequately using snow ball sampling technique. The study was explorative in nature, since it required an in depth understanding of the subject of study .The methods used were associated with the use of words, opinions, emotions and other elements that cannot be quantified. These methods included the use of in depth interview from young women who had already gone through radicalization or were already radicalized, key informant interviews which involved a local chief do Kisauni Sub County and a staff member at the Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSE) in Nyali Sub County. Last but not the least, use of secondary sources relevant to the study. The findings of the study established that there are indeed there were push and pull factors that lead to the recruitment, radicalization and involvement of women in extremist activities. The very harsh social economic factors surrounding the environment that these women are in have acted as factors in enabling their radicalization. The women go ahead and break the chains of gender construction by finding ways to survive in the harsh environment. The study also established that radicalization is rampant and can happen from different solaces, it is like an endless chain joined from end to end. The study concludes that in deconstructing gender roles, women have been able to make a way of survival in embracing extremism and that women play a role in promoting extremism either actively or passively. The recommendation of the study is that the government, civil society, non-governmental institutions, various stake holders and also individuals in the society should pay more attention to young women by supporting and empowering than by making basic rights like education easily available and affordable, coming up with rehabilitation centers and all other necessary incentives to ease the harsh social-economic environment.