In 2024, Tunisia has become a pioneering example in integrating women into the rehabilitation and reintegration of former extremists. Over the years, the country has faced challenges with radicalisation, particularly amongst young men and women who have joined violent extremist groups. Tunisia’s government, in partnership with local NGOs and international partners, has made significant strides in developing comprehensive programmes that not only target the prevention of radicalisation but also focus on the reintegration of individuals who have already been involved in extremist activities. Central to this initiative is the inclusion of women, who play a crucial role in rehabilitating former extremists and helping them reintegrate into society.
Keywords : Radicalisation, Extremist, Women
The Radicalisation Challenge in Tunisia
Tunisia has been deeply affected by extremism in recent decades, with many young Tunisians traveling to conflict zones like Syria and Libya to join extremist groups. These individuals often returned to Tunisia with violent ideologies that posed a significant threat to national security and social cohesion. In 2024, there were still about 3,000 individuals in Tunisia’s prison system who had been arrested on charges related to extremism and terrorism. The Tunisian government recognised that solely focusing on counterterrorism measures was insufficient in addressing the problem. It became clear that there was a need for a more comprehensive approach, one that included efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate individuals who had been radicalised.
In response, Tunisia implemented a series of rehabilitation programmes with a focus on both male and female extremists, but the role of women in these efforts has been particularly significant. This is because women in Tunisia hold unique positions as mothers, wives, and community members, making them essential in preventing further radicalisation and reintegrating former extremists into society.
The 2024 Programme: Women Leading Rehabilitation Efforts
In 2024, Tunisia launched the “Women’s Path to Reintegration” programme, which aimed to train women as leaders in the rehabilitation and reintegration of former extremists. The programme was a collaborative effort between the Tunisian Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Affairs, and international partners such as the United Nations and various local NGOs. It targeted both female extremists and women in the community who could act as mentors, counsellors, and leaders in the reintegration process.
The core of the programme involved training women in skills such as psychological counselling, conflict resolution, and community building. They were taught how to deal with individuals who had been radicalised, providing them with the necessary tools to address the complex social and psychological challenges that come with reintegrating former extremists. The women involved were also trained in leadership and mediation techniques, enabling them to become role models and influential voices in their communities.
One of the unique aspects of this programme is that it focused not only on rehabilitating the individuals who had joined extremist groups but also on engaging their families, particularly their mothers and wives. These women were trained to support their loved ones through the reintegration process, offering emotional support and helping to rebuild family bonds that had been damaged by extremist ideologies.
Results of the Programme
By the end of 2024, the “Women’s Path to Reintegration” programme in Tunisia had achieved notable successes, highlighting the significant role women can play in the rehabilitation and reintegration of former extremists. This innovative initiative, designed to provide comprehensive support to individuals previously involved in extremist activities, has demonstrated the power of gender-sensitive approaches in countering violent extremism (CVE) and fostering long-term societal peace. The programme’s results offer compelling evidence of how empowering women in both the rehabilitation and reintegration processes can lead to successful outcomes for both the individuals involved and their communities.
- Successful Reintegration of Former Extremists: The programme reported that over 200 former extremists had successfully reintegrated into society by the end of 2024, thanks to the combined efforts of women in rehabilitation and their communities. This represents a 30% reintegration success rate, a significant achievement in a country that has faced considerable challenges with extremist violence.
- Decrease in Recidivism: The programme’s focus on rehabilitation and social support contributed to a 40% reduction in recidivism amongst former extremists who participated in the program. Many of these individuals, who were previously at risk of returning to extremist groups, now work in local communities as part of outreach programmes or have found employment in various sectors, helping to stabilise their lives.
- Empowering Women as Leaders: One of the most significant successes of the 2024 initiative was the empowerment of 100 women who became leaders in the rehabilitation process. These women played critical roles in guiding former extremists through the reintegration journey and fostering connections between families, former extremists, and the broader community. The programme also trained 50 women from local communities as “peer mentors” who could offer support to families affected by radicalisation and offer guidance on how to deal with the psychological and social challenges of reintegration.
- Psychological and Emotional Support: Women involved in the programme provided psychological counselling to former extremists and their families. By the end of 2024, 75% of the individuals who went through the programme reported feeling more confident about their reintegration and less likely to return to extremist ideologies. Many participants also stated that they felt more supported emotionally, thanks to the women-led counselling services.
- Community Acceptance and Support: The programme also succeeded in fostering a sense of acceptance for former extremists within their communities. A survey conducted in late 2024 showed that 80% of the communities in which the programme had been implemented felt more accepting of former extremists, especially due to the active involvement of women in the reintegration process. This is a crucial factor in preventing individuals from returning to extremist ideologies, as social support is a key determinant in successful reintegration.
Challenges
Despite its successes, the programme faced several challenges. One of the most significant was overcoming societal stigma. Many communities remained wary of former extremists, particularly women who had been radicalised. The programme faced resistance from some quarters, where people questioned the ability of women to lead rehabilitation efforts. Overcoming these social barriers required sustained outreach and awareness campaigns, which were addressed by the trained women leaders themselves.
Another challenge was the limited resources available to expand the programme to other regions of Tunisia. Whilst the programme showed promising results in urban areas, particularly in Tunis and Sousse, there was a need for more funding and resources to extend the programme’s reach to rural and marginalised communities, where radicalisation had often been more prevalent.
A Glimpse of Hope for the Future
The “Women’s Path to Reintegration” programme in Tunisia has shown that empowering women to play a central role in the rehabilitation and reintegration of former extremists can lead to tangible results. By the end of 2024, Tunisia had established a model that integrates women not only as beneficiaries but also as key drivers of change in the reintegration process. The success of this programme in rehabilitating former extremists, reducing recidivism, and fostering community acceptance underscores the importance of women in countering violent extremism.
As Tunisia progresses, it is essential to broaden these initiatives, tackle the ongoing obstacles, and guarantee that women remain at the forefront of shaping the nation’s counterterrorism strategies. The experience of Tunisia in 2024 offers a crucial lesson for other nations dealing with the threats of extremism and radicalisation, showing that the involvement of women is not just a matter of principle but also a vital and strategic component in combating violent extremism
