Women in terrorism have become a sensitive topic seeing as they are both the victims and still are actively involved in violent acts. They have been playing a significant role to expand, protect and facilitate terror organizations like al Shabaab, al Qaeda, Boko Haram and the Daesh. Women play various roles in the terror organizations echoed by the likes of the Samantha Lewthwaite, popularly known as the white widow who was very high-ranking in the al Shabaab.
While most agencies take little to no interest in women involved in terrorism, it is critical to note that they play majorly indirect roles that ensure the violent attacks are orchestrated and the militants are properly furnished with the information and supported they need. Thus, the indirect roles women play appear to be more prominent than direct participation as perpetrators of violent extremist acts.
Globally, women are trapped into violent extremism and terrorism by strong relationship ties based on family, kinship, and romance.
Some of the prominent roles played by women include:
- Spies– They infiltrate targets organization or position and offer valuable information that enables ‘flawless’ attacks, as well as conduct surveillance on security agencies by seducing officials to get information.
- Financiers– They provide militants with money to either travel to training camps, help in laundering money through legitimate businesses as well as indirectly by paying ransoms for kidnapped children and spouses.
- Suicide bombers– since they can blend well and move suspicious with bombs strapped to them, unlike their male counterparts.
- Hiding, aiding and treating terrorists– they offer refuge, medicine, and food to terrorists on the run and away from security agencies
- Recruiters– women are typical nurturers and as such, they are better placed to steer young men and women towards the terror organization. They use their positions to recruit and subtly radicalize without being detected.
However, while they may not necessarily have a choice in the matter seeing as they are major steered by family ties, there other factors that drive women to terrorism. They include:
- Revenge– the ruthless punishment of terrorists has resulted in blurry lines when it comes to judgment and extrajudicial killings of suspects which leaves angry mothers, sister, spouses, and Anger and need to avenge is a leading cause as the women feel they need to make someone pay for their pain leading to radicalization and involvement in terror activities.
- Unemployment and economic distress– women’s need to protect their family and provide drives then right into recruiters’ hands who offer better pay and promise for a better life for their kids.
- Historical injustices– some women feel that their government has violated certain rights and promises like denial of civil rights due to technicality or appearance and as such find solace in terror organization that appears to address the injustices.
- Kidnapping and coercion– some women are forced to join terror organizations either to follow their family members, blackmailed into joining to protect their loved ones or kidnapped and forced to take part in the violent organization.
The bigger question that government ought to ask themselves and explore solutions to is why they refused to defect, offer information or even get caught seeing as they form an integral part in the terror networks and stopping the would minimize damage caused. Firstly, Muslim women, who are the culprits have cultural impediments that deter them from speaking to men or people without a spouse or brother (male company) present. This means that they cannot offer information to security agencies without alerting the people around them who could very well be terrorists which cuts the link of possible human intelligence.
Secondly, their invisibility in the Muslim community plays a major role and redirect suspicion from them. Hence, they are able to take part in numerous shady dealings without being detected and can maintain a solid cover when out in the field.
Thirdly, fear to go to the authorities or seeking help is a major factor seeing as they can be blackmailed for long periods of time without reporting it. Moreover, they tend to be disconnected to the outside world and as such don’t know who to trust making it harder to give information to the security agencies. Most women in terrorism have poor education and are easily gullible either by their terrorist husbands or families, are easily radicalized and brainwashed.
Therefore, it is imperative for the government to create a framework that not only rids a nation of direct causes of violent terrorism but also women who are the cogs that facilitate terrorism on the ground both directly and indirectly. Governments ought to address extremism and radicalization among women as rigorously as they do with their male counterparts and youth.
