"My husband was a farmer. Before we were married, I wasn't aware that he had joined any groups. Then, after we were married, our neighbors would tell me, 'Hey, your husband is part of ISIS!' I had no clue what that group was about. Finally, he confirmed to me that he was a member," says Ummu.

Ummu says that she does not know exactly how involved her husband with ISIS-affiliated groups. She remembers that he once went to Butig, a town in Lanao del Sur, for about a week back in 2017. Butig was known as a Maute group stronghold at the time. She thinks that he may have been there to undergo training.

"I got scared when I found out what ISIS really was," Ummu says. "I nagged my husband to leave. I told him he was putting the whole family in danger."

Violent extremism is often seen as a problem of men, in particular young men, however women can have varied and often complex relationships with violent extremism and violent extremist groups: as victims, as active participants and also as less visible mobilizers and sympathizers. Future research should consider the importance and complexity of gendered dimensions of violent extremism so that existing policies and practices are adapted to be gender-responsive for both men and women.