The dynamics of human security impact of the weaponisation of women in terror organisations: the case of Boko Haram and Islamic State

Abstract

The modern-day global system is facing wars and conflict of all kinds. However, the twenty-first century’s global system is designed to deal with threats and conflict that are distinct from those of the twentieth century. These threats do not emanate outside the borders of states - they emanate within the borders of states. These threats include intra-state conflicts such as religious conflict and terrorism (among others), which are often linked to a government’s failure to provide basic services that might provide human security to constituents. The vacuum created by the failure of government is normally filled by fundamentalist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State. Consequently, these groups have adopted a strategy of including women in their terrorist agenda, as women play a significant role in sustaining the existence of these groups. This led to the concept of the weaponisation of women coming into being. In addition, terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State weaponise women, who are required to play various roles, including serving as plotters, spies and supporters who gather all the material support and intelligence, publish propaganda and recruit other women to join those running a terror campaign. Other roles are serving as the wives of insurgency militia members, and bearing the future generation jihadists and suicide bombers. The findings of this study indicate that there are human security impacts related to the weaponisation of women, such as: loss of life; dropping out of school and closure of schools due to the fear of attack by terror groups; population displacement that leads many people losing their homes and shelter; post-traumatic experiences as a result of gender-based violence; rejection from society as a result of stigma attached to rape; loss of citizenship due to affiliation to terrorist groups. Methodologically, the study relied on the qualitative method of research and content analysis to delve in to the dynamics of human security impacts associated with the weaponisation of women.