Women & Islamic StateWhy do women in West turn to Islamic State? For the same reasons as men
What makes someone want to travel to some of the most dangerous places on earth to fight alongside terrorists? It’s a question we’ve been asking about young people for more than a decade. But the rise of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq has seen the onset of a particular phenomenon – more and more young women are now leaving the West to support the group in its controlled territories. Many of the reasons given by female migrants to IS territories are the same as those espoused by their male peers, that is, it appears that religious revivalist tendencies inspire female activists, who ultimately seek to embrace “a new vision for society.” These young men and women have been radicalized by a selective ideology, which draws upon an alarmist worldview (for example that Islam and Muslims are under threat). This promotes a rapid response, as the threat posed is perceived as immediate. Salafi-jihadist groups in the U.K. and elsewhere have been extremely effective at turning this rhetoric into a significant operation. Authorities must target these Islamist groups acting as a recruitment base for both men and women migrating to IS territories.
What makes someone want to travel to some of the most dangerous places on earth to fight alongside terrorists? It’s a question we’ve been asking about young people for more than a decade. But the rise of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq has seen the onset of a particular phenomenon – more and more young women are now leaving the West to support the group in its controlled territories.
Since the Islamic State’s campaign began, it is estimated that 3,000 people have migrated from the West to join the cause — 550 of them women.
On the face of it, IS and its “caliphate” seems to be a male-dominated environment. Until now, it has not been clear how IS makes room for female activists. But a document obtained by anti-extremist think tank the Quillam Foundation, which purports to be a guide for jihadist brides, has shed light on the role of women under IS. It states:
The role of women is inherently “sedentary,” and that her responsibilities lie first and foremost in the house, except in a handful of narrowly defined circumstances. This role begins at the point of marriage which, it is declared, can be as young as nine years old.
So why do Western women choose this restricted life? A recent report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue has examined the role of female migrants in IS for the first time. This examination of these clandestine activists provides insight into the possible threat migrating female activists may pose to the West — and why they go in the first place.
The will of Allah
It appears that religious revivalist tendencies inspire female activists, who ultimately seek to embrace “a new vision for society.” In most cases, female migrants felt their identity and purpose had been empowered by preserving the notion of “true Islam.” The challenging process of turning away from their previous lives is mitigated by their strong idealistic world-view. Thus, as one female activist indicates, joining IS was the practical manifestation of “the will of Allah.”
