In the western world, the participation of women in higher ranked positions is no longer questioned. The equality between man and woman is considered a given fact. However, in regards to terrorism, the difference in gender is still considered an issue, and femininity and masculinity plays a role. The gender theory, the significance of being a man or a woman, has gone into new dimensions, by affecting fundamental Islam and giving terrorism a new identity. Years ago, the occurrence of suicide bombings was considered the embodiment of “evil“, and had evoked from the public consternation and incomprehension. Today, these one-time occurrences have become a recurrent trend, known as a martyr phenomenon, heard daily on news. Up until recently, most of the suicide bombers, known as “Shahids”, were men who committed the act in order to be remembered in history and upon being promised that it will lead them to paradise. However today we see more and more women, especially Muslim/Islamic women, who decide to die as “female martyrs”.
Since the attack on the World Trade Center in September 11, 2001, terrorism has become a matter of every-day public issue, discussed as one of the top topics in daily news. However, these discussions rarely focus on the implication of gender on the issue, and Islamic terrorism is intuitively perceived as “masculine” rather than “feminine”. When the issue of gender in the Islamic world is finally brought up, the focus is usually around the political and domestic oppression of woman, an issue that has been analyzed thoroughly by political scientists, legal practitioners and historians from all perspectives. However, rarely is the feminine role, or lack thereof, discussed in the pretext of terrorism. No public emphasis has been given to the question, of how is it possible that these all-around oppressed women, whose role in their society, by stereotype, is to be the caring housekeeper - to give birth to children, to stand for values like education, etc. - have suddenly taken the role that has long been reserved for men, by turning to violence and volunteering for suicide missions.
It begs the question, does terrorism have a gender? Is terrorism a “masculine” means, increasingly utilized by Islamic women to raise their low standing in society and achieve liberation?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Gender Distinctions: Women and Terrorism
- Gender
- Feminism
- Defining the Gender association
- Gender roles within Islam
- The role of men and women within Islamic societies and terror organizations
- Overlook into history
- Facts and Arguments
- Woman within terrorist organizations
- Terror organizations and their impacts on women
- Influence of the media
- Palestinian female suicide bombers: New social and religious motives
- Concluding
- References
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the phenomenon of Islamic female suicide bombers, particularly focusing on Palestinian women and their individual case patterns. The main objective is to analyze the impact of gender issues in the context of Islamic terrorism, examining the motivations behind these women's actions and challenging the perception of Islamic women as passive victims. The paper aims to shed light on the complex interplay of gender, religion, and terrorism, while acknowledging the potential for feminist interpretations within this phenomenon.
- The role of gender in Islamic terrorism and its influence on the motivations of female suicide bombers.
- The potential for feminist interpretations of female participation in terrorism.
- The impact of personal circumstances and motivations on the decisions of female suicide bombers.
- The intersection of gender, religion, and violence in the context of Islamic terrorism.
- The challenges of understanding and interpreting the actions of female suicide bombers in light of traditional gender roles and expectations within Islamic societies.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage by discussing the evolving understanding of gender roles in the Western world, highlighting the continued significance of gender distinctions in the context of terrorism, particularly Islamic terrorism. The author argues that the phenomenon of female suicide bombers challenges traditional perceptions of women's roles within Islam and society.
The section on gender distinctions delves into the definitions of gender and feminism, exploring the relationship between gender and terrorism. It challenges assumptions about women's inherent pacifism and examines the complex motivations behind female involvement in violent acts, including the possibility of both masochistic and sadistic tendencies.
The chapter focusing on the role of men and women within Islamic societies and terror organizations would likely delve into the power structures within these groups, exploring how gender roles influence their operations and dynamics. The author may examine the historical context and the influence of religious interpretations on these roles.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core keywords and focus topics of this text encompass gender, terrorism, Islamic terrorism, female suicide bombers, feminism, gender roles, religious motivations, personal circumstances, Palestinian women, and the intersection of gender, religion, and violence.
- Quote paper
- Hagar Figler (Author), 2008, Does Terrorism have a Gender? - The Place of Women in Global Islamic Terrorism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/114041
