Written by: Zia Bari
While globally, the recruitment of women is less common among organizations involved in conflicts with various nations, Daesh places significant emphasis on recruiting women and children into its ranks.
This effort plays a unique role in strengthening Daesh’s extremist ideology and false methodology, which can be highlighted through the following points:
1. The Role of Women in War and Support
The recruitment of women holds dual importance for Daesh. Firstly, women are utilized for domestic support tasks such as cooking, caregiving, and other indirect responsibilities, which greatly assist in meeting the needs of the fighters. Secondly, Daesh encourages women to actively participate in combat, and in some cases, trains them for suicide attacks. This role of women is relatively new in such groups and has further increased their presence in conflicts.
2. Efforts to Promote Ideological Offspring
Daesh encourages women and young girls to marry its fighters, aiming to raise a new generation indoctrinated with Daesh’s ideology. This ensures that the new generation readily adopts its beliefs and becomes a long-term force for the group. This is a form of “ideological breeding” for Daesh.
3. Efforts to Expand Global Propaganda
Through social media and other promotional platforms, Daesh motivates women and youth to join them. They aim to broaden their global influence by presenting an image of themselves as a powerful state where men, women, and children coexist.
4. Establishing Family Life for Control and Order
In areas under their control, Daesh tries to present itself as an “Islamic state” by forming families and creating a semblance of normal life. Establishing and organizing families serves as a tool to portray themselves as more than just a militant group, but as a state with functioning family life. Women play a key role in this structure, making their recruitment vital for this purpose.
5. Utilizing Women for Suicide Attacks
Daesh also utilizes women for suicide attacks. In many cultures, women are less likely to arouse suspicion from security forces, allowing Daesh to use them tactically. Female suicide bombers represent a new strategic tactic, as they can easily infiltrate areas inaccessible to male fighters.
6. Using the Ideology of “Martyrdom” and “Heroism” for women and youth
Daesh emphasizes the concepts of “martyrdom” and “heroism” in its narratives to women and youth. They aim to instill the belief that sacrificing one’s life for their cause is the ultimate success and an act of defending Islam. This ideology is particularly effective on those with deep religious sentiments and a readiness to sacrifice themselves.
7. Exploiting Social Inequalities and Economic Hardships
Daesh focuses on women and youth facing poverty, unemployment, or other economic and social challenges. They exploit these vulnerabilities, presenting the illusion that life under Daesh’s “Islamic state” will offer justice, resources, and a better standard of living.
By leveraging economic deprivation and social issues, Daesh seeks to achieve its political and military objectives.
In Conclusion:
Daesh utilizes women and children as instruments for its military, propaganda, and ideological goals. Their efforts aim to indoctrinate future generations with their extremist beliefs and create a long-term foundation for their radical agenda. Nonetheless, fortunately, they persistently encounter substantial setbacks in these endeavors.
