The role of women in West Africa's violent extremist groups

Date

2018-10-12

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

Abstract

In the Lake Chad region (Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger and Chad), Boko Haram continues to make headlines for enlisting women often forcibly into its ranks and suicide bombing operations. Between 2011 and 2017 the group carried out over 434 suicide attacks, of which 244 were undertaken by women. After 2009, Boko Haram began abducting women and girls. More than 2,000 women and girls were allegedly abducted between 2014 and 2015. The bulletin reviews several extremist groups and their use of women and girls.

Description

Keywords

EXTREMISM, WOMEN, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, GIRLS, YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, RECRUITMENT, TERRORISM, SUICIDE, MALI, NIGER, CAMEROON, SOUTH OF SAHARA

Citation

DOI