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?
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:
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines the emergence of female suicide bombers within Islamic terrorism, investigating whether gender influences the nature of terror operations and if the participation of women in such violence represents a form of pseudo-emancipation or a strategic manipulation by patriarchal organizations.
- The intersection of gender theory, feminism, and Islamic fundamentalism.
- Case patterns of Palestinian female suicide bombers and their personal motivations.
- Tactical and strategic advantages for terrorist organizations in utilizing female suicide bombers.
- The impact of media coverage on the perception and recruitment of female martyrs.
- The role of socioeconomic and religious factors in the radicalization of women.
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction:
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.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter introduces the phenomenon of female suicide bombers within the context of Islamic terrorism and raises the core research question regarding the gendered nature of suicide missions.
Gender Distinctions: Women and Terrorism: Defines core concepts such as gender and feminism and explores the rigid gender roles within Islamic society and terror organizations.
Overlook into history: Provides a historical overview of martyrdom in Islamic tradition, contrasting the ancient "assassins" with contemporary suicide attackers.
Facts and Arguments: Highlights the disparity in financial support and recognition between male and female suicide bombers, noting that women often receive less support.
Woman within terrorist organizations: Analyzes the strategic use of women by terrorist organizations, citing media effectiveness and the recruitment advantages of using female operatives.
Terror organizations and their impacts on women: Discusses how different terror groups, such as Al-Qaeda, have adapted their policies to incorporate female operatives despite fundamentalist leanings.
Influence of the media: Explores how media coverage enhances the psychological impact of female-led attacks and drives recruitment efforts.
Palestinian female suicide bombers: New social and religious motives: Details the specific personal and social drivers—such as honor and escape from marginalization—that lead Palestinian women to choose suicide attacks.
Concluding: Summarizes the findings, asserting that while women may view these acts as personal liberation, they remain objects of exploitation within male-dominated extremist frameworks.
Keywords
Terrorism, Gender, Islamic Fundamentalism, Suicide Bombers, Martyrs, Feminism, Palestinian, Radicalization, Media Influence, Jihad, Patriarchy, Emancipation, Social Honor, Martyr Phenomenon, Violence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research?
The work investigates the participation of women in global Islamic terrorism, specifically questioning whether terrorism has a gender and analyzing why women increasingly volunteer for suicide missions.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key themes include the intersection of traditional gender roles in Islam, the strategic recruitment of women by militant organizations, and the psychological and media-related impacts of female suicide bombers.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The study aims to determine if the involvement of women in terrorism constitutes a form of female empowerment or if it is a manipulation of vulnerable women by patriarchal systems for strategic gain.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The research utilizes an analytical and descriptive approach, examining empirical case patterns of Palestinian female suicide bombers and synthesizing existing sociological and political data.
What does the main body of the work address?
It addresses the historical context of martyrdom, the tactical advantages of using women in terror operations, the influence of media coverage on perception, and the specific socioeconomic motivations of the individuals involved.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The work is characterized by terms such as suicide terrorism, Islamic fundamentalism, gender roles, and the exploitation of female identity for political aims.
How does the author characterize the 'emancipation' of female suicide bombers?
The author argues that while these women may feel they are acting independently to gain freedom, their actions are largely exploited by male-dominated structures, rendering it a 'pseudo' form of emancipation.
Does the author conclude that terrorism has a gender?
Yes, the author concludes that because these women feel the need to utilize the 'masculine' tool of violence to gain recognition within their society, the phenomenon of terrorism remains fundamentally anchored in male-dominated perceptions of power.
What role does the media play in this phenomenon?
The media acts as a multiplier, amplifying the shock value of female attackers and inadvertently aiding terrorist organizations in spreading fear and propaganda.
- 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
