The Sexism and Violence Nexus

This research brief is part of a series, initiated in connection to the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 and promotes the realization of the Women, Peace and Security agenda through evidence-based policy and practice. It is the result of a collaboration between the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), and UN Women.

The research presented in this brief shows that there is a need to focus our attention on sexist attitudes as well as on discriminatory gender norms. Individuals with hostile attitudes towards women, and towards gender equality in general, are not just more prone to violent extremist views and to intolerance towards other nationalities and religious groups; they are also more likely to actually support violent groups and to participate in political violence.

These results demonstrate that a gender perspective is sorely needed in order to better
understand the dynamics of political violence and extremism.

Authors: Elin Bjarnegård, Erik Melander and Jacqui True