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Why young girls become radicalized

June 19, 2015

What drives young girls to join radical Islamist groups? Islamism expert Claudia Dantschke explains the phenomenon from her daily experience working with young people and families.

https://p.dw.com/p/1FiYV
Symbolbild Mädchen Frauen Salafismus
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Roessler

Why young girls become radicalized

Originally, Claudia Dantschke was working as a journalist covering topics evolving around Islamism and extremism. Today, she works as a research associate at the German Federal Office of Migration and Refugees. She is also the founder of "Hayat" (the Turkish and Arabic word for "life") - an organization counselling families whose members have drifted into Salafist or Islamist groups.