Perspectives on Violent Extremism : Afghan Women

Women are positioned differently in society, their understanding and perspectives of radicalization are also different from men. Loss of lives, physical disabilities, displacement, destruction of houses and infrastructure etc. , affect men and women differently. Consequently, women have different approaches towards de-radicalization, conflict resolution and peace building. Most of the available literature brings together the impact of radicalization and violent extremism in the form of gender blind numbers and statistics, and misses woman as the category of analysis. Moreover, women have mostly been portrayed as passive victims of violent extremism, ignoring diverse role she plays as sympathizer, supporter and preventer of violent extremism. Consequently, women remain excluded from decision making at all levels and stages. Their perspective on radicalization has always been ignored. This study charts and assesses the perspectives of women on violent extremism in Afghanistan, and strategies women use to cope with, and counter, radicalization. Radicalization and violent extremism primarily hit against womens rights. Women not only suffer direct physical and sexual violence in the form of flogging, stoning and beating to death, forced marriage and rape etc. , but also bear most of the brunt of loss of livelihood and displacement, disappearances, disabilities and killing of family members. Radicalization specifically hits against marginalized segment of the society such as, women, children, religious, sectarian and ethnic minorities. In confluence with patriarchal cultural practices, violent extremism further intensifies oppression and marginalization of women. It enlarges the ambit of patriarchal control over womens body, mobility, health, education, and social, political and economic participation, impeding them from claiming their fundamental human. Peace and womens rights are interconnected. It is an established fact that women enjoy better status in peaceful societies and contribute more to the socio-economic development, while radicalized and conflict-ridden societies relegate women to lower, rather sub-human status.