Female Terrorism. Female Terrorism. Social and Psychological Background of the Phenomenon. Semyonov Dmitry State University – Higher School of Economics (Moscow)

Introduction the rate of female involvement in terrorist activity increased greatly women were engaged in terrorism earlier, but the role of them has changed a lot

The Phenomenon of Female Terrorism Narodnaya Volya (People’s Will) and Socialist Revolutionary Party Secondary functions : the Uruguayan Tupamaros, RAF and June Second Movement Front-line activity -Latin American and West European organizations s -leftist organizations (Red Zora – Germany ) -key roles: Fusako Shigenobu (JRA), Norma Ester Arostito (Argentine Monteneros), Margherita Cagol and Susana Ronconi (Red Brigades), Ellen Mary Margaret McKearney (IRA), Geneveve Forest Tarat (ETA) -Leila Khaled (PFLP) -entirely of women: Society for Cutting Up Men (SCUM) – US -organizations created and directed by women: German Kommando der Roten Armee Fraktion (Baader-Meinhoff group), Red Brigades and Prima Linea (Italy), Japanese Red Army, American Symbionese Liberation Army and Weather Underground, the Euskadi Ta Askatasuna\Basque Homeland and Liberty, EZLN (Zapatista)

Recent Challenges 27 January 2002 suicide bombing by Wafa Idris (Al-Aqsa Brigades) – was widely reported as “the world's first woman suicide bomber.” Tamil Black Tigers - former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated in May 1991 by a female suicide-bomber Russia (most famous – Dubrovka Theater storming October 2002) Palestinian female suicide bombers (many cases)

The Roots two separate areas – men’s and women’s Muslim sociologist: “In our society there is no relationship of friendship between a man and a woman” genital mutilation pollution and gang-raping generally speaking, sex discrimination

Women in the Muslim Family and Female Motivation social motivation joining terrorists - a woman gets into the society - a woman gains the higher rank in social hierarchy economic motivation terrorist organization provide perpetual finance support for a suicide bomber’s family religious motivation women find in the terrorist activity realization for their vanity, ground for pride, respect and glory personal motivation terrorist activity – an outcome for hatred towards people “mother” motivation natural instinct of protecting children

Characteristics of Female Terrorists practicality, coolness dedication, inner strength, ruthlessness single-mindedness

Conclusion Female terrorism is already an ordinary thing Any kind of researching or examining terrorism should imply a full case study of female involvement We must be ready to meet new challenges of terrorism What about children, for example?