Role of Women in Terrorism
Women commit fewer terror activities than men. However, the role of women in terrorism is gradually increasing, and their motives for joining are triggered by various reasons like ideologies, social, economic, and cultural goals. Women are likely to join terror groups and organizations if there is a personal connection like family (Phelan, 2020). A survey on ISIS reveals that females are motivated by religious ideologies to adopt gendered frames or the desire to share likenesses with male fighters. Similarly, females joining these groups are freed from disbelief and degradation as they are assimilated into the collective sisterhood that provides friendship and support networks. Terror groups often tailor publicity messages to lure omen into extremist activities.
The role of females in terrorist organizations differs from one group to another. However, their role is determined by group structures. Terror organizations recruit women for tactical operations and distinct purposes (Phelan, 2020). Moreover, females play supportive roles of propagandists, fangirls, widows, leavers, terrorists, and recruiters. Role adoption challenges conventional norms in some organizations as women are taking up duties traditionally reserved from men.
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The role of women in terrorism groups is gradually changing as females use gender stereotypes as recruitment, propaganda, and targeting strategy. ISIS changed the concept of terrorism into a family affair to recruit all family members. Women serve terror organizations as mothers, teachers, nurses, wives, and educating the next generation of fighters (Phelan, 2020). Moreover, females play the role of enforcing social rules and insurgency to enhance group activities. Incorporating women's perspectives enhances intelligence and gathering of data to ensure the groups are well-prepared against counter-terrorism.
How Terrorist Groups are Recruiting People
Terrorist groups such as AQAP, ISIS/ISIL, and Boko Haram use religion as a tool to spread extreme and violent ideologies. Similarly, intergroup relations, social engagements, bonds, and solidarity created by the Jihadi culture depict recruitment into terror groups as a lifestyle hence attracting naïve individuals (Maza et al., 2020). Terror groups use religious negativity like false teachings, radicalization, and misrepresentation as a strategy of recruiting unsuspecting individuals. Radicals take advantage of cultural and socio-economic challenges to indoctrinate people into believing that Western civilization is the cause of their problems. This appeals to many uneducated, poor, and impressionable people frustrated by their impoverished situation. Members of terrorist groups interact with people from local communities and express themselves through drama, music, and dance. This strategy attracts people to join these groups because they are perceived as ordinary people regardless of the prevailing narratives against terrorism.
Economic pressures like lack of employment and poverty, and weak family structures make young people vulnerable to joining terrorist groups. Terrorists lure young people into joining their groups by focusing on multidimensional challenges like corruption, inequality, bad governance, and marginalization to create a sense of disillusionment and social exclusion (Maza et al., 2020). The lucrative pay offered and desire to improve economic status attracts people into joining terror groups.
Countering activities and expansion of terrorist groups is a major issue facing governments due to the threats of terror groups on the stability of systems and lasting psychological, physical, and emotional trauma on victims. To cripple the recruitment efforts of terrorism groups, governments must address the issues of human rights, inequality, unemployment, illiteracy, radicalization, and the provision of improved social services. Government abdication of its responsibility compels people to seek for basic needs form radical groups (Maza et al., 2020). Failure and negligence of political leaders to address challenges and issues facing their people will empower terrorist groups to continue exploiting desperate citizens.
References
Maza, K. D., Koldas, U., & Aksit, S., (2020). Challenges Of Countering Terrorist Recruitment In The Lake Chad Region: The Case Of Boko Haram. Religions, 11(96), 1-26.
Phelan, A. (2020). Special Issue Introduction for Terrorism, Gender, and Women: Toward an Integrated Research Agenda. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism .
