The transformation of women’s role in terrorism: from victims to active players

2020 ◽  
pp. 66-75
Author(s):  
Anahita Seifi ◽  
Morteza Nourmoahammadi
Keyword(s):  
Military Training ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Terrorist Organizations ◽  
Historical View ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Executive Decision Making ◽  
Women's Role

In studies of terrorism, women are generally considered to be passive, vulnerable victims. Despite increasing awareness of the various roles of women in terrorism, the attention of media and analysts is directed at those who claim responsibility for the incidents. Therefore, the issues pertinent to the identity, gender and role of the perpetrators remain marginalized. Using descriptive-analytical method and a historical view of the evolution of women’s roles in terrorist organizations, the present research examines women’s motivation for membership in these organizations as well as transformation of women’s role in terrorist activities. The results of the research suggest that women, for personal, cultural and social reasons, play a role as members of terrorist organizations at all levels and even as leaders of these organizations. Initially, women’s role was limited to doing promotional work and collecting information and resources. But gradually, as their motivation and awareness increased and they received further military training, they now participate as effective agents in the executive, decision-making and leadership structures of terrorist organizations. The progressive trend of women’s recruitment in terrorist groups indicates that women’s role in terrorism has transformed from being passive, submissive players to being active players. This raises serious concerns regarding the prevalence of extremism among future generations as a result of women’s essential role in the upbringing of these generations. Raising awareness in the international community about the multiple roles played by women in terrorism could be effective in development of relevant policies, enhancing women’s functions, and fighting violent extremism.

Assembling and deconstructing radicalisation in PREVENT: A case of policy-based evidence making?

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabe Mythen ◽  
Sandra Walklate ◽  
Elizabeth-Jane Peatfield
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Religious Ideology ◽  
Important Material ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Way

In the last 15 years the concept of radicalisation has come to prominence as a means of explaining the process by which individuals become attracted to extremist ideology and endorse the actions of terrorist groups. Post 9/11, radicalisation has gained traction in policy, political and media circles in Britain, being commonly connected to the threat of ‘home-grown’ terrorism. In this article, we critique the understanding of radicalisation outlined in the UK Government’s PREVENT strategy. We focus specifically on how particular understandings of radicalisation are constructed, evidenced and operationalised in PREVENT and the way in which these understandings align with party political worldviews. It is posited that an unremitting focus on the role of religious ideology in the process of radicalisation within PREVENT mutes recognition of otherwise important material grievances expressed by individuals involved in violent extremism. At a broader level, our analysis adds to growing concerns around the deleterious impacts of the securitisation of social policy.

On a Continuum of Roles: Women as Key Socialization Actors of Other Women in Al-Shabaab

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-142
Author(s):  
Eva Luna Nijenhuis
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Organizational Socialization ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Terrorist Organizations ◽  
Criminal Organizations ◽  
Terrorist Organization ◽  
Role Of Women ◽  
Women's Role

In current research the role of women in terrorist organizations has remained largely underexposed. This article responds to the call to draw attention to the active women's role in terrorist organizations by uncovering how women in terrorist organizations, specifically Al-Shabaab, socialize with other women who enter or change roles within the organization. This has been done through a literature review, which integrates the insights drawn from papers on the role of women in terrorist organizations with current knowledge on organizational socialization. The research shows that women are active in a wide array of roles and that they should not only be viewed as passive victims. Furthermore, women already familiar with the terrorist organization are especially important for the socialization of female newcomers and their role in maintaining the terrorist organization should not be ignored. The article also sheds light on how the theory of organizational socialization could be improved. As the results provide a better understanding on how socialization might differ depending on the degree of autonomy the newcomer has and what insights it might provide for other criminal organizations.

scholarly journals Role of Women in Preventing Radicalization and Violent Extremism that Leads to Terrorism in Albania

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 240
Author(s):  
Merita Poni ◽  
Evisa Kambellari ◽  
Merushe Zeneli ◽  
Rozana Baci
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Hot Spots ◽  
Youth Engagement ◽  
Front Line ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Role Of Women ◽  
Women's Role ◽  
Depth Interviews

The aim of this paper is to inform the reader about the role of women in countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism (VERLT). Women’s role represents a growing interest for policy makers in addressing the rising concern for youth engagement in violent extremism. The study applies a gender perspective to analyzing the role of women in preventing and countering radicalization and violent extremism. In depth interviews were conducted with thirty-one women to reveal their opinions, attitudes and experiences with prevention of VERLT. The study covers three regions: Tirana, Elbasan and Pogradec, which are identified as hot spots for violent extremism. The study has found that women have a crucial role in preventing and countering violent extremism, given their access in family and community. Women’s role is especially relevant in keeping young people safe from extremists’ radicalization attempts. Women civic engagement increases community resilience against violent narratives and contributes to peace perseverance. Women front-line activism is primordial for countering extremism that leads to terrorism.   Received: 8 October 2020 / Accepted: 11 December 2020 / Published: 17 January 2021

The power of norms to sway fused group members

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnifred R. Louis ◽  
Craig McGarty ◽  
Emma F. Thomas ◽  
Catherine E. Amiot ◽  
Fathali M. Moghaddam
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Anthropology ◽  
Normative Systems ◽  
Violent Extremism ◽  
Identity Fusion ◽  
Group Members

AbstractWhitehouse adapts insights from evolutionary anthropology to interpret extreme self-sacrifice through the concept of identity fusion. The model neglects the role of normative systems in shaping behaviors, especially in relation to violent extremism. In peaceful groups, increasing fusion will actually decrease extremism. Groups collectively appraise threats and opportunities, actively debate action options, and rarely choose violence toward self or others.

Understanding Suicide Terrorism

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (04) ◽  
pp. 245-250
Author(s):  
A. Speckhard
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Suicide Terrorism ◽  
Terrorist Organizations ◽  
Global Migration ◽  
The Balkans ◽  
Single Region ◽  
Extensive Field ◽  
The World ◽  
Terrorist Groups

SummaryAs a terror tactic, suicide terrorism is one of the most lethal as it relies on a human being to deliver and detonate the device. Suicide terrorism is not confined to a single region or religion. On the contrary, it has a global appeal, and in countries such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan it has come to represent an almost daily reality as it has become the weapon of choice for some of the most dreaded terrorist organizations in the world, such as ISIS and al-Qaeda. Drawing on over two decades of extensive field research in five distinct world regions, specifically the Middle East, Western Europe, North America, Russia, and the Balkans, the author discusses the origins of modern day suicide terrorism, motivational factors behind suicide terrorism, its global migration, and its appeal to modern-day terrorist groups to embrace it as a tactic.

Management of deradicalisation in the UK: reflections of a clinical psychologist

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feryad A. Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Psychosocial Issues ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Violent Action ◽  
Clinical Counselling ◽  
The Uk

Radicalisation to violent action is not just a problem in foreign lands. Research has identified numerous politico–psychosocial factors to explain why young people from the UK are now joining terrorist groups such as ISIS. Our understanding has been expanded by the accounts of “returnees” who have subsequently either self-deradicalised or joined a government deradicalisation programme in the role of an Intervention Provider (IP). These individuals are now key to the deradicalisation programme. This article presents the reflections of a clinical psychologist who worked within a social healthcare team managing psychosocial issues related to radicalisation, in conjunction with an allocated IP. The project involved individuals from the Muslim community and, as such, issues discussed are specific to this group. It is acknowledged that the process in general is universally applicable to all groups though specifics may vary (under Trust agreement, details may not be discussed). This article also aims to share basic information on the current Home Office deradicalisation programme and raises questions about the current intervention. It also offers reflections on how the work of IPs may be facilitated and supported by clinical/counselling psychologists and psychotherapists.

Are Viruses and Parasites Linked to Celiac Disease? A Question that Still has no Definite Answer

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 1181-1193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aref Shariati ◽  
Hamid R. Aslani ◽  
Mohammad R.H. Shayesteh ◽  
Ali Taghipour ◽  
Ahmad Nasser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Celiac Disease ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Barr Virus ◽  
The People ◽  
Intestinal Infections ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel ◽  
Epstein Barr ◽  
Irritable Bowel ◽  
Related Proteins

Celiac Disease (CD) is a complex autoimmune enteropathy of the small intestine that commonly occurs in genetically predisposed individuals due to intake of gluten and related proteins. Gluten consumption, duration of breast-feeding, various infections, especially frequent intestinal infections, vaccinations and use of antibiotics can be linked to CD. It is predicted that it affects 1% of the global population and its incidence rate is increasing. Most of the people with the HLA-DQ2 or HLADQ8 are at a higher risk of developing this disease. The link between infections and autoimmune diseases has been very much considered in recent years. In several studies, we explained that pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms might have multiple roles in initiation, exacerbation, and development of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). In various studies, the relationship between infections caused by viruses, such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Rotavirus, Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Influenza virus, and parasites including Giardia spp. and Toxoplasma gondii with CD has been raised. However, increasing evidence proposes that some of these microorganisms, especially helminths, can also have protective and even therapeutic roles in the CD process. Therefore, in order to determine the role of microorganisms in the process of this disease, we attempted to summarize the evidence suggesting the role of viral and parasitic agents in pathogenesis of CD.

scholarly journals Education in developing countries and reducing maternal mortality: a forgotten piece of the puzzle?

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vedran Stefanovic
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
Substantial Improvement ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Perinatal Medicine ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Women's Role

Abstract Despite substantial improvement in reducing maternal mortality during the recent decades, we constantly face tragic fact that maternal mortality (especially preventable deaths) is still unacceptably too high, particularly in the developing countries, where 99% of all maternal deaths worldwide occur. Poverty, lack of proper statistics, gender inequality, beliefs and corruption-associated poor governmental policies are just few of the reasons why decline in maternal mortality has not been as sharp as it was wished and expected. Education has not yet been fully recognized as the way out of poverty, improvement of women’s role in the society and consequent better perinatal care and consequent lower maternal mortality. Education should be improved on all levels including girls, women and their partners, medical providers, religious and governmental authorities. Teaching the teachers should be also an essential part of global strategy to lower maternal mortality. This paper is mostly a commentary, not a systematic review nor a meta-analysis with the aim to rise attention (again) to the role of different aspects of education in lowering maternal mortality. The International Academy of Perinatal Medicine should play a crucial role in pushing the efforts on this issue as the influential instance that promotes reflection and dialog in perinatal medicine, especially in aspects such as bioethics, the appropriate use of technological advances, and the sociological and humanistic dimensions of this specific problem of huge magnitude. The five concrete steps to achieve these goals are listed and discussed.

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