ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the evolution of terrorism studies out of International Relations theory and how this has set it up as a gender-blind space. It traces the adaptation of terrorism, in the context of the Global War on Terror, to include the concepts of violent extremism and radicalization and how this has impacted the expansion of transnational counter-terrorism (CT) methods. Preventative programming has been developed as a strategy to address structural and individual drivers of extremism before they lead to terrorism. Additionally, there has been a concurrently growing emphasis on the importance of women’s rights and engagement in the peace and security fields through the development of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. However, a review of some approaches to the inclusion of women in CT policy and programming highlights where the gaps are and why more transformative gender and other diversity and equality strategies are needed. Finally, this chapter addresses how gender mainstreaming can include a confusing mess of policy terminology for non-gender and gender experts alike. It deconstructs some of the terms used and illustrates some of the challenges that still need to be overcome in order to make gender mainstreaming strategies more transformative.
