Women Radicalization in the Arab World

Abstract

The study explores the drivers of radicalization among females from 12 Arab states (Kuwait, UAE, Oman, KSA, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, and Egypt). A sample of 2624 young female students was selected, of whom 11.7% were expatriates and 88.3% were citizens. A 44-item questionnaire with relevant scales was used.  The instrument has a strong reliability (α=0.96) and a construct validity (LSC and Radicalization Scale) of (r= 0.723, α=0.00). Findings showed that all independent variables combined explained 67% of the variance of female radicalization, and a significant overall impact of independent variables on female’s radicalization (F 214.806 α=0.00). Results showed a uniquely significant contribution of all predictors with the exception of location, father’s work, and religiosity.  However, significant differences were found in females’ radicalization attributed to religion, (F=123.932, α=0.000) and residence (citizen vs. Expat) (F=4.349, α=0.03). Security implications such as understanding factors behind women terrorist radicalization and the women’s roles in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization were discussed.