Gender mainstreaming and returnees - University of Birmingham

Since the fall of so-called Islamic State or Daesh, a number of British nationals have been repatriated following detention in Syria, Iraq and Turkey.

Could a gendered approach aid in the de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of these individuals? Researchers at the University of Birmingham have worked extensively with UN Women, UNDP, NATO and the EU radicalisation awareness network over the past four years on matters relating to gender and preventing violent extremism.

This work has resulted in a RAND paper on gender-specific issues relating to de-radicalisation and disengagement from violent extremism. It has also resulted in the UNWomen publication on ‘Gender Mainstreaming principles, dimensions and priorities’. We want to continue this work with consideration for women and children returning from the Iraq and Syrian conflict zone.

Project summary

This project focuses on the rehabilitation, de-radicalisation, re-integration of British nationals who are being repatriated following detention in Syria, Iraq and Turkey on suspicion of being affiliated to, supporting or actively engaging in violent jihadist proscribed terrorist organisation. It aims to examine how to apply existing principles of gender-mainstreaming to post-engagement interventions, known as transnational EXIT work. The project is funded by Research England.

Call for policy experts and practitioners

We invite individuals and organisations that are involved in EXIT work (de-radicalisation efforts and programmes), cognate services (probation, social services and government), research and policy (academia, civil society or in another capacity) to participate in this research.

As a participant, we will request a Skype interview with you of approximately an hour to discuss your experiences in this policy area.

This research will be conducted according to the Chatham House Rule, and findings will be anonymised unless you expressly request otherwise. Ultimately, the outputs of this research aims to impact and inform policy decisions in this policy area.

gender.mainstreaming@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Researchers

Dr Katherine E. Brown

Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Department of Theology and Religion

In her work Dr Brown examines the ways in which gendered jihadi narratives motivate and enfranchise, and how they combine with everyday experiences of living and politics. She also researchers how counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation programmes impact on religious women’s rights and Muslim communities.

Katherine's profile

Nubla Mohamed

Doctoral Researcher and project assistant

Nubla’s research explores narratives of tolerance and non-violence within Sufism and a theological counter-narrative to violent extremism. Her other research interests include Islamic esotericism, liberation theology, Islam and post-modernism. She is an independent CVE consultant with experience in Islamist movements in SE Asia.

Publications and media work

Gender-specific approaches in EXIT work (RAND Europe paper):
Women and Radicalisation
K E Brown (2018) Gendered Violence in the making of the proto-state Islamic State. Book Chapter in Parashar, S. (ed) Gendered States. OUP. Chapter 11.
K E Brown (2016) “Securitization of Human Rights” in Steans, J. and Tepe-Belfrage, D (eds.), Handbook on Gender and World Politics (Edward-Elgar). Chapter 30. Pp.255-262.
K E Brown (2015) “Marginality as a Feminist Research Method in Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism” In Critical Methods in Terrorism Studies. Dixit, P and Stump, J. L. (Eds.). (Routledge). pp.136-149
K E Brown (2014) “Gender and Religion” Chapter 25, in Laura Shepherd (ed.) Gender and Global Politics Second Edition (Routledge)

In the media

Dr Katherine Brown:

Countering violent extremism and gender mainstreaming
Radicalisation, Gender and Religion
Muslim women's involvement in violent religious politics (e.g. jihadism)
How counter-terrorism and counter-radicalisation programmes impact on religious women’s rights and Muslim communities
Gender and religion-sensitive approaches to resilience

Nubla Mohamed

Islamic Studies and Sufism
Intra-religious interpretative diversity
Islamic narratives of tolerance and non-violence
Islamist violent extremism in SE Asia
Countering violent extremism in the online space