This essay is situated within a larger collection of essays published by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in partnership with the Institue and the Alliance for Peacebuilding through the support of the GHR Foundation. The collection of essays explore challenges and opportunities for policymakers working with religious actors involved in counter-terrorism and preventing/countering violent extremism (CT/PCVE), following an Insight Forum in Nairobi, Republic of Kenya in 2019.
In this essay, author Fauziya Ahmed argues that opportunities for women are still restricted in Kenya, as well as other countries, despite high-level calls for action such as the Beijing Platform for Action. For example, the essay explores the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism, adopted by the Republic of Kenya in 2016, which initially faced several criticisms for its lack of a gender-sensitive approach before its ultimate revision, including the introduction of a gender-specific pillar aimed at promoting gender equity and equality in counter-terrorsism and preventing/countering violent extremism (CT/PCVE) efforts. The essay offers insights into gender mainstreaming relevant national CT/PCVE strategies, including at community-level.