Beyond Islamist Extremism: Women and the Algerian Uprisings of 2019

Abstract

February 22, 2019, marked a watershed moment in Algeria’s history, and a key moment in the struggle for women’s rights. For the first time since its independence 57 years ago, massive protests swept the country and were still in full force seven months later. Women’s involvement in these protests holds particular significance. This brief explores how women’s participation has contributed to the decline in influence of the Islamist extremists in Algeria. It first documents the demise of Islamist influence from its height in the 1990s, then it shows how the current uprising in Algeria has its roots in various secular movements, including the women’s movement, representing a fundamental shift in Algerian politics.