This policy brief is based on policy-focused research and interviews concerning the links between violent misogyny and violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT). The research was commissioned by the OSCE Office of the Secretary General Gender Issues Programme together with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit as part of the WIN for Women and Men – Strengthening Comprehensive Security through Innovating and Networking for Gender Equality project. The research was conducted by the consultant Dr. Melissa Johnston with Dr. Sara Meger.
This research aimed to identify key findings from existing research and policy evidence of the links between violent misogyny and VERLT, and to identify opportunities and promising practices for incorporating a view of violent misogyny into existing guidelines and policies on P/CVERLT.
The policy brief concludes that addressing violent misogyny’s links to VERLT is a significant, but overlooked and misunderstood, security concern for the OSCE and its participating States. At the individual level, violent misogyny can motivate men and women to participate in VERLT. At the group level, violent misogyny plays a role in the operation and ideology of violent extremist groups.
The brief elaborates on the key findings and offers a number of recommendations.
There are English and Russian versions on the website.