Deradicalization of repatriated women from Syria and Iraq: an institutional analysis of reintegration policies in Kazakhstan

Introduction This study examines the deradicalization and reintegration of women who had been in the conflict zones of Syria and Iraq. Following the military defeat of the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (IS), many countries initiated the repatriation of their citizens, particularly women and children. Since the existing literature has focused predominantly on male fighters, this study addresses an important gap by analyzing women’s radicalization through the lens of political subjectivity and intersectionality. Methods The empirical component of the study draws on 21 in-depth interviews with repatriated women and 13 expert interviews with frontline practitioners involved in deradicalization and reintegration work in Kazakhstan. Results The findings show that radicalization was driven not only by ideological beliefs, but also by structural factors, including institutional distrust of state authorities and social exclusion produced by restrictions on religious self-expression within public institutions. The analysis of state policy points to a substantial gap between the assimilationist model of theological re-education and the socio-economic conditions required for sustainable reintegration of repatriated women. Discussion The authors propose a deradicalization toolkit for women repatriated from zones of terrorist activity that is aimed at restoring their subjectivity and addressing the structural causes of women’s radicalization. The study is significant for comparative political science and for the development of international security and reintegration strategies concerning the families of foreign terrorist fighters.