The Role of Women in Terrorism

Author

Zeynep Bayar, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

5-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Program

Political Science

Advisor

Peter Romaniuk

Subject Categories

Criminology and Criminal Justice | Gender and Sexuality | International Relations | Military, War, and Peace

Keywords

Terrorism, counterterrorism, security, suicide attack, Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, women terrorists, rape, gender, Islam

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to understand what motivate women to join terrorist groups and why these organizations prefer to work with female terrorists. Although each woman has different reasons to involve in terrorist groups, this research demonstrates 'religious, political and personal' reasons as the major motivating factors. This study also focuses on the question of why women are the targets of terror recruiters. In order to answer these, the research analysis examines 'psychological, gender, and media' factors as major recruitment reasons of terrorist organizations. This study also analyzes the similarities and differences between female terrorists' profiles of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Recommended Citation

Bayar, Zeynep, "The Role of Women in Terrorism" (2019). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/3265