By Wenona Russ
With the terror that occurred last weekend by the hands of female suicide bombers, I decided to visit this topic and study this phenomena. As a Diasporan from America, I cannot say we have ever experienced mass deaths by a female (born a female, that is) hands.
(There was a mass shooting at a private elementary school by a transgender female in Nashville TN a few years back, but….)
Anyway!
My heart cried out when I thought about that baby strapped to the female suicide bomber in Borno State that detonated the IED and killed several people. I could not imagine what would possess a woman to murder her own child, other children and adults in such a way!
The youngest suicide bomber was a child who detonated explosives strapped onto her in 2015 in Potiskum. She was a 7 year old who walked into a market – the blast killed 6 people and injured 30 more.
WHO is the Female Suicide Bomber? WHAT would make a female commit such a heinous act? WHY would she lay down her own life in such a brutal way?’
Bring Back Our Girls
Ten years ago, Over 200 Christian female students were abducted from a school dormitory overnight by the terrorist group Boko Haram. Worldwide protests ensued after the girls were not return months after being kidnapped. Eventually, 100 of the abducted were released.
Heartbreakingly, Over a 100 of the girls were never returned.
Soon, the Chibok girls and their fates no longer trending and the world forgot about those girls…
Fast forward ten years later, and the kidnapping of schoolchildren is STILL occurring to THIS day! Many of those children that are stolen never return home. And if they do return home, they are never the same again. They are traumatized, brutalized, tortured, raped, molested, impregnated, treated worse than animals.
As I thought on all of this, it began to dawn on me…the Nigerian female suicide bomber more likely is a kidnap victim who was brutalized, raped, molested and radicalized by her kidnappers.
When you want to turn a female into a monster, just repeatedly traumatize her. Treat her like an animal. Do not educate her. Do not love her or allow her to be genteel or feminine.
The earlier you do this, the more likely she is to be what we call ‘a beast’ in the United States. It takes a LOT of trauma to turn a sweet little girl into someone capable of blowing up children.
The first recorded instance of a female suicide bomber is attributed to Sana’a Mehaidli, a young Lebanese woman who carried out a suicide attack on April 9, 1985, during the Lebanese Civil War. Here’s more about her and the context of her actions:
Sana’a Mehaidli was born in 1968 in Lebanon. She was a member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), a political party in Lebanon that had its own militia during the civil war. At the age of 16, she drove a vehicle loaded with explosives into an Israeli convoy in Jezzine, a town in southern Lebanon, killing herself and reportedly several Israeli soldiers.
The SSNP, like many militant groups at the time, used suicide attacks as a tactic against occupying forces. Mehaidli was celebrated as a martyr by her party and supporters. Lebanese Civil War: The Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) was a complex conflict involving multiple factions, including Lebanese militias, Palestinian groups, and foreign forces from Israel and Syria. Suicide bombings were one of the tactics used by various factions.
Mehaidli’s attack marked a significant moment in the history of modern terrorism, demonstrating the use of women in suicide operations. It challenged traditional gender roles and showed that women could be mobilized for extreme acts of violence.
Over the years, the use of female suicide bombers has been adopted by various militant groups around the world, including Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, Chechen rebels, and more recently, Islamist extremist groups like ISIS.
Female bombers often exploit societal norms and security measures that may be less stringent for women, allowing them to carry out attacks with potentially greater impact and surprise.
The use of female suicide bombers remains a topic of significant concern and study in counterterrorism and security. Understanding what motivates female terrorists, recruitment methods, and impact of these attacks is crucial for developing effective prevention and response strategies.
Female suicide bombers in Nigeria have been a significant issue, particularly in the northeastern region, where the terrorist group Boko Haram operates. Boko Haram, an Islamist extremist group, has been responsible for numerous attacks and abductions since its insurgency began in 2009. One of their tactics has been the use of female suicide bombers to carry out attacks.
Boko Haram has been known to abduct women and girls, often forcing them to become suicide bombers. Some reports indicate that these women and girls are brainwashed or coerced into carrying out these attacks.
The attacks carried out by female suicide bombers have targeted various locations, including markets, schools, and places of worship. These locations are often crowded, aiming to maximize casualties and spread terror.
Female bombers are used because they can sometimes evade security measures more easily than men. They are less likely to be suspected and can conceal explosives under traditional clothing.
These attacks have devastating effects on communities, leading to loss of life, injuries, and a climate of fear. They also contribute to stigmatization of survivors and other women in the affected regions.
The international community, including organizations like the United Nations, has condemned the use of female suicide bombers and called for efforts to address the root causes of terrorism and provide support to victims.
The Nigerian government, with support from international partners, has been working to combat Boko Haram through military operations and initiatives aimed at deradicalization and rehabilitation of former militants and abductees.
Boko Haram (which literally means ‘no books’) was founded in 2002, Boko Haram’s insurgency escalated in 2009, aiming to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. The group gained international notoriety for its brutal tactics, including mass abductions.
Boko Haram has also used children as suicide bombers, further highlighting the group’s disregard for human life and the extent of its coercive tactics.
Efforts to address the issue involve a combination of military, humanitarian, and developmental approaches to weaken Boko Haram, provide support to affected communities, and prevent radicalization.
The involvement of females in suicide bombing missions can be attributed to coercion, ideological indoctrination, and various socio-political factors. Here’s an overview of some of the primary reasons:
Coercion and Abduction:
1. Forced Participation: Many female suicide bombers, especially in contexts like Nigeria with Boko Haram, are abducted and coerced into carrying out these missions. They are often given no choice and are forced under the threat of violence or death.
2. Trauma and Manipulation: Abducted women and girls are frequently subjected to severe trauma, including sexual violence and torture. These experiences can leave them highly vulnerable to manipulation and control by their captors.
Ideological Indoctrination:
1. Religious and Political Indoctrination: Some women are indoctrinated into extremist ideologies, where they are convinced that their actions are a form of martyrdom that will guarantee them a place in paradise. This is particularly relevant in groups with strong religious motivations like Boko Haram.
2. Personal Beliefs: In some cases, women may genuinely believe in the ideological cause they are fighting for, whether it’s religious, political, or social. They may see their sacrifice as a way to contribute to a larger struggle.
Sociopolitical Factors:
1. Grievances and Revenge: Women who have experienced personal loss or suffering due to conflict, such as the death of family members, may be driven by a desire for revenge. Joining a militant cause can seem like a way to avenge these losses.
2. Social and Economic Pressures: In some regions, extreme poverty and lack of opportunities can make militant groups seem like a viable option. The promise of financial compensation for their families can be a compelling reason.
Strategic Use by Terrorist Groups:
1. Operational Advantage: Terrorist groups like Boko Haram use women because they are less likely to be suspected and can more easily penetrate security checks. Traditional clothing can conceal explosives, and societal norms may afford them a degree of protection from scrutiny.
2. Psychological Impact: Female suicide bombers can have a profound psychological impact on societies. Their involvement can break societal norms and increase the shock value of attacks, thereby amplifying fear and chaos.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP FEMALE MARTYRDOM?
Preventing females and children from becoming suicide bombers requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes, provides support and rehabilitation, and enhances security measures. Here are some strategies:
Addressing Root Causes:
1. Poverty Alleviation and Economic Opportunities: Improve economic conditions and provide education and employment opportunities, especially in regions prone to extremist recruitment. Empowering women and families economically can reduce the allure of militant groups.
Education and Awareness: Promote education, especially for girls, to foster critical thinking and resilience against extremist ideologies. Educational programs can include counter-narratives to extremist propaganda.
Community Engagement: Strengthen community ties and support networks to create a sense of belonging and reduce vulnerability to recruitment. Engage local leaders, including religious and community leaders, in countering extremist narratives.
2. Security and Law Enforcement:
Improved Intelligence and Surveillance: Enhance intelligence gathering and surveillance to identify and disrupt recruitment networks. Collaboration between local and international law enforcement agencies can improve the effectiveness of these efforts.
Protective Measures: Implement security measures at vulnerable locations, such as markets, schools, and places of worship, to detect and prevent suicide bombers from carrying out attacks.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration:
Support for Survivors: Provide psychological and social support to survivors of abduction and violence, including trauma counseling and rehabilitation programs. Ensure they are reintegrated into society with dignity and support.
Deradicalization Programs: Develop and implement deradicalization and reintegration programs for individuals who have been involved with extremist groups. These programs should include educational, vocational, and psychological support.
Legal and Policy Measures:
Strengthen Legal Frameworks: Enact and enforce laws that criminalize recruitment and use of children and women in armed conflict. Ensure accountability for those who perpetrate these crimes.
2. International Cooperation: Foster international cooperation to combat terrorism, including sharing intelligence and best practices for preventing recruitment and radicalization.
5. Promoting Gender Equality:
1. Empower Women and Girls: Promote gender equality and women’s rights to reduce their vulnerability to exploitation by extremist groups. This includes ensuring access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
2. Advocate for Women’s Participation: Encourage the participation of women in peacebuilding and counterterrorism efforts. Women can play a crucial role in preventing radicalization and promoting community resilience.
6. Community-Based Interventions:
1. Localized Interventions: Tailor interventions to the specific cultural, social, and political contexts of affected communities. Community-based approaches are often more effective than top-down strategies.
2. Youth Engagement: Engage young people in meaningful activities and provide platforms for them to express their views and concerns. This can help prevent their recruitment into extremist groups.
7. Media and Communication:
1. Counter-Narratives: Develop and disseminate counter-narratives to extremist propaganda through various media channels. Highlight the stories of former recruits who have left extremist groups and are rebuilding their lives.
2. Responsible Media Reporting: Encourage responsible media reporting that avoids sensationalizing attacks and instead focuses on the resilience of affected communities and the efforts to counter extremism.
Combining these strategies can help create a holistic approach to preventing the recruitment and use of females and children as suicide bombers, ultimately contributing to more stable and resilient communities.
Understanding the mentality of female suicide bombers requires examining a range of psychological, social, and ideological factors. Each individual’s motivations can be complex and multifaceted. Here are some key aspects to consider:
Psychological Factors:
1. Trauma and Coercion: Many female suicide bombers have experienced significant trauma, including abduction, sexual violence, and abuse. These experiences can lead to feelings of hopelessness and make them more susceptible to manipulation and coercion by extremist groups.
2. Desperation and Despair: Some women may feel that their lives have no other purpose or meaning due to extreme poverty, loss of family members, or social isolation. Suicide bombing can be seen as a way to give their lives a sense of purpose or to escape their suffering.
3. Search for Identity: In contexts where women have limited roles and opportunities, joining a militant group can provide a sense of belonging, identity, and empowerment.
Social and Cultural Factors:
1. Revenge and Retaliation: Women who have lost family members to violence or conflict may be driven by a desire for revenge. They may see becoming a suicide bomber as a way to avenge the deaths of loved ones.
2. Social Pressure and Honor: In some cultures, there can be significant social pressure and expectations placed on women to support militant causes. This can include notions of honor and martyrdom, where women are glorified for their sacrifice.
3. Manipulation and Deception: Extremist groups often use manipulation and deception to recruit female bombers. They may promise financial support for their families or use ideological indoctrination to convince them that their actions are divinely sanctioned.
Theological Factors:
1. Religious Indoctrination: Some women are indoctrinated with extremist religious ideologies that promise rewards in the afterlife for their sacrifice. This can be a powerful motivator, especially if they believe they are fulfilling a divine mission.
2. Political Commitment: Women involved in nationalist or separatist movements (e.g., the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka) may be motivated by a strong political commitment to their cause and a belief that their actions will help achieve their group’s goals.
Many female suicide bombers in Nigeria have been abducted and coerced by Boko Haram. They are often young girls who have been brainwashed and forced to carry out attacks. The so-called “Black Widows” of Chechnya, many of whom lost husbands or family members in the conflict with Russia, have carried out numerous suicide bombings driven by a desire for revenge and ideological commitment. Some Palestinian female bombers have been motivated by a combination of personal loss, ideological commitment, and the desire to strike against Israeli forces.
The mentality of female suicide bombers is a complex set of psychological trauma, social pressures, cultural norms, and ideological indoctrination. Effective prevention requires addressing these underlying factors through education, in economic empowerment, psychological support, and community-based interventions. Understanding their motivations can also help in developing counter-narratives and rehabilitation programs that provide alternative pathways for women and girls at risk of radicalization.
The schools need MORE security. A child unprotected can very well be radicalized and become a nation’s worst nightmare in a decade.