This policy brief examines how violent extremist groups strategically deploy gendered narratives within their propaganda to mobilise support, justify violence, and reinforce ideological hierarchies. Introducing the concept of “gender representations,” the paper analyses how constructions of masculinity and femininity are used to define belonging, threat, and moral legitimacy.
The analysis demonstrates how gendered narratives operate across different levels of extremist messaging, shaping recruitment strategies, identity formation, and behavioural mobilisation. By applying the framework to both Islamist and extreme right-wing propaganda, the paper shows that gender is not peripheral to violent extremist communication, but central to how violence is normalised and sustained.
The paper concludes by highlighting the value of gender-sensitive analysis for improving understanding of violent extremist recruitment and propaganda dynamics, while cautioning that overlooking gendered logics risks weakening prevention and strategic communication efforts.