Female Suicide Bombers: A Global Trend Presentation

Female terrorism and psychological factors

• Male and female terrorists vary in socio-psychological backgrounds;
• Galvin (1983) states that terrorism is a male-dominated activity and relates to struggling for power;
• Feminine characters do not inhibit female adaptations to the more brutal terrorism roles and activities;
• Since people do not expect any violent act from a woman, as they consider them non-violent, fragile and victim-like, female terrorists come as a surprise;
• From the psychological perspective, male and female terrorists differ in their socio-psychological backgrounds such as motives, connections and objectives of the violence;
• As Galvin demonstrated, terrorism is a male-dominated activity and is closely related to struggle for power. However, women destroy their female nature and resort to terrorism;
• Female terrorist deal with every sort of terrorism activity and feminism does not hinder them from performing dangerous and risky tasks associated with terrorism;
• As women are considered non-violent and fragile, female terrorism comes as a surprise to many as little harm is expected from female creatures;
• Women are frequently used for sexual purposes although terrorist groups banns love affairs;
• As the nature of terrorism is masculine, terrorism group destructs female self-esteem;
• God-like positions held by male leaders attracts female terrorists and constructs their female terrorist identity;
• As stated by O’ Rourke (2009, p. 681), same motives and circumstances drive both male and female attackers;
• Gender wise, terrorist groups propose equal treatment to both men and women. Even though women are used as sex pets, terrorist groups ban love affairs;
• Self-esteem among women within terrorist groups is relatively lowered since terrorism is regard as being masculine;
• Males hold key positions in terrorist groups. Charismatic and God-like male leaders have attracted women to join terrorist groups in search for identity;
• O’ Rourke carried a research that shows that the same motives drive both male and female attackers.

Female terrorism and sociological factors

• Research by Martha Crenshaw (2004, pg. 410-412) shows that personality factors and gender differences do not account for the terrorist behavior;
• Shared ideological commitment and group solidarity are more important determinants of terrorism responses than personal characteristics;
• Ariel Merari (2007) claims that suicidal bombers are individual rather than a group phenomenon;
• Root causes of terrorism include lack of democracy, lack of civil liberties and the rule of law, too rapid modernization, dictatorship, civil wars, history of violence, social injustices, etc.
• Sociological factors contribute to the development of female terrorists. Research by Martha Crenshaw (2004, pg. 410-412) shows that personality factors and gender differences do not account for the terrorist behavior;
• In the social world, terrorism has been demonstrated as a group activity rather than individualistic;
• However, Ariel Merari describes rare cases such as suicidal bombers where the terrorist behavior is an individualistic act rather than a group phenomenon;
• In any nation, terrorism results from one or a combination of factors such as lack of democracy, lack of civil liberties and the rule of law, too rapid modernization, dictatorship, civil wars, among others.
• Revenge, redemption, respect, and relationships motivate female terrorists;
• Religious and cultural differences modify methods used by terrorist groups. For instance, the Germany and Shining Path in Peru were radical socialists with no religious connection;
• Female terrorists can be used as collaborators, informers, human shield, recruiters, sexual baits and perpetrators of acts of destruction and death;
• Cultural and traditional habits can lead to female terrorism;
• Revenge due to loss of loved once, inability to conceive, inability to get a mate, and the alleged or real sexual misconduct together with relationship issues leads to sparks female violence;
• Religion and cultural beliefs can also lead to increased number of female terrorists. For instance, the Germany and Shining Path in Peru were radical socialists with no religious connection;
• With non-violent beliefs held by people about women, female terrorists can easily smuggle and transport arms used for criminal activities;
• Cultural and traditional discrimination against women, economic instability combined with patriarchal views of women roles lead to women resorting to violence.

Conclusion

• Women try to escape from oppression by participating in terrorist activities;
• Female terrorists are born and constructed by the harsh environments and violent institutions such as refugee camps;
• Female terrorists behave like men and are regarded as modified man-like creatures;
• Past social injustices or crimes against women stimulate violence in women;
• In conclusion, women escape oppression through terrorism activities. They do so in order to solve challenging live issues that they are born with such as discrimination and social injustices;
• Women resort to terrorist activities due to revenge, great frustration and anger brought about by the environment they live in;
• In the bid to revenge, female engage in terrorism, that for long has been regarded as a male activity. Some of the female terrorists leave children and motherhood for violence just for revenge;
• Social injustices and indiscrimination stimulate violence among women. For instance, Palestinian women became suicide bombers due to social injustices such discrimination due to infertility or rape;
• Religious beliefs play a role in nurturing terrorists. In addition, women are motivated by negative self-identity in the society;
• Loss of loved ones and psychological trauma accelerates construction of female terrorists;
• In conclusion, the environment and social factors nurtures female terrorists;
• Religious beliefs held by groups also play a significant role in terrorism. Palestinian and Chechen terrorists believed in becoming martyrs if they were killed prompting women to join the groups;
• Powerful terrorist leaders attract women who have lost loved ones, homes and relatives in a bid to revenge;
• Nobody is born a terrorist. Female terrorists evolved to become what they are.