Omwakwe, Christine KusaMuiya, Bernard2025-09-222025-09-222025-09Omwakwe, C. K & Muiya, B. (2025). Barriers to Women’s Agency in Counter-Terrorism Efforts in Mandera County, Kenya. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 9(9), 136 – 145https://kenyasocialscienceforum.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/7pdf-omwakwe-muya-barriers-to-womens-agency-in-counter-terrorism-efforts-in-mandera-county-kenya.pdfhttps://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/31444ArticleThe purpose of the study was to investigate the roles, challenges and contributions of women in counter-terrorism efforts in Mandera County, Kenya, from 2011 to 2023, highlighting barriers such as cultural norms, security threats and limited resources that hinder their agency. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach with a sample size of 384 women and stakeholders, the study assessed women's participation in community-based initiatives, intelligence gathering and peacebuilding, while identifying systemic barriers to their empowerment. Findings indicate that women's agency moderately enhances community resilience and counter-terrorism effectiveness, yet patriarchal structures and inadequate institutional support constrain their full involvement. The study advocates for gendersensitive policies, capacity-building and inclusive strategies to leverage women's contributions for sustainable security. The study contributes empirical insights to feminist international relations theory, emphasizing the need for intersectional approaches in counterterrorism frameworks.enArticle