This article examines the processes of disengagement and deradicalisation among thirteen women convicted of terrorism-related offences in Spain. Drawing on in-depth interviews with incarcerated women affiliated with Da’esh (i.e., the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), as well as prison officials and practitioners, the study explores the psychological, social, and relational factors that facilitated behavioural disengagement and cognitive transformation.
The analysis distinguishes between disengagement (cessation of violent behaviour) and deradicalisation (ideological rejection), highlighting how disenchantment, new social networks, and the acquisition of alternative life goals shaped women’s trajectories away from extremist involvement. It challenges gender stereotypes that frame women solely as victims or passive actors, emphasizing women’s agency within both radicalisation and exit processes.
The article concludes by underscoring the importance of gender-sensitive rehabilitation strategies tailored to women’s specific pathways, needs, and reintegration challenges within criminal justice systems.