September 2015 — Strategies and programs to counter violent extremism have traditionally been designed for male recruits, leading to a dearth of responses that adequately address the drivers and recruitment tactics for female participation. This research brief summarizes key findings and recommendations from a study requested by the U.S. Agency for International Development under the CoVE-MENA project on the drivers, recruitment tactics and responses to women’s participation in violent extremism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).