eleanor.hastings@gmail.com

Abstract

While radicalization research historically focuses on male recruitment, women have increasingly participated in extremist movements across political, religious, separatist, and ideological spectrums. Female radicalization is shaped by distinct psychological, social, identity, and situational factors that differ from male pathways. This paper explores emotional trauma, identity restoration, gendered social inequality, political grievances, coercion, romantic recruitment, social belonging, and survival strategies as contributors to women’s radicalization. Using case analysis from global extremist contexts—including far-right networks, Islamist militias, separatist insurgencies, and eco-extremist cells—the study proposes a gender-specific psychological model to better inform prevention and rehabilitation initiatives.