The research based on key informant interviews identifies unintended consequences of linking the Women Peace and Security Agenda with counterterrorism and PCVE. The majority of informants are civil society organizations. First it notes that government focus on Al-Shabaab and other forms of violent extremism prioritizes particular forms of violence over others, often minimizing violence against women, everyday violence, police brutality and gang violence. Second, that this focus on violent extremism is believed to be a result of pressure from Western agendas. Third, the dominant PCVE approach doesn’t respond to the underlying causes of violent extremism in Kenya, and indeed seems to exacerbate Islamophobia and the alienation and marginalization of Muslim, specifically Somali, communities. Fourth, there has been a proliferation of PCVE related projects in Kenya, resulting in saturation and a lack of funding for other essential areas. The paper’s recommendations include recognizing women’s everyday experiences of violence, resisting militarization, and focusing on contextualized understanding of violent extremism.
2021