Gender Mainstreaming to Prevent Radicalization & Extremism: A Case Study of Women's Seminaries in Pakistan

Abstract

Females seeking education in religious seminaries feel marginalized and driven towards radicalization and extremism in a society that is prejudiced in favour of females who seek education from schools and colleges delivering worldly knowledge Western education, such as science, mathematics, and English. Pakistan’s constitution encourages Western education and awards such learners with rewards such as representation at the national decision and policy-making level, as compared to female students from religious seminaries. This study aims to find ways to represent females (who have sought education at religious seminaries) at the national level to mainstream them, thereby preventing their slide towards radicalization and extremism. Through the use of the qualitative research paradigm, an exploratory study would be conducted by administering structured, standardized, and open-ended interviews to female students and their teachers at religious seminaries, as well as to some legislators who can initiate necessary legislation, if and when required. Thematic analysis would be conducted, and the findings would be organized. The conclusion drawn would address the ways female who studied at religious seminaries would get a chance to be mainstreamed as a measure to prevent any possibility of their being swayed to radicalization and extremism.

Keywords: Gender Mainstreaming, Prevent Radicalization, Extremism, Women's Seminaries, Pakistan