Reasons Why Female Suicide Bombers are Used in Terror Attacks

A recent trend in global terrosism, which is actually an increasingly disquieting one, is female suicide bombing, an act terror experts said is employed by both religious and secular groups.

30% of Islamic suicide bombing conducted by women 

Rohan Gunaratna, a terror expert, estimates that about thirty per cent of Islamic suicide bombings have been conducted by women.

He said it has particularly been the case in Palestine, where female suicide bombing had been a routine occurrence since the first official female suicide bombing of 2002.

Reasons: Simple to plan/low costing

A report has, however, indicated that terrorist organisations use females because, like most suicide operations, it is usually simple to plan and of low costing.

According to the United States Department of State Homeland Security report, it is believed that female terrorists are encouraged into suicide mission in some parts of the world, because of their low social status and, therefore, are considered more expendable.

“Females also tend to be more emotional and, therefore, easier to indoctrinate, and since bombers will most likely perish in the attack, there is little fear of them divulging information to security forces,” the report said.

Attracts more media coverage

The belief again is that the media coverage is extensive, especially if the attacker is female. Terrorists are known to attempt to embarrass a powerful enemy and show the world that things are desperate that women are now fighting.

Element of surprise

Another reason, which is of great social importance, is that females thought to have the element of surprise.

On occassions when the attackers want to to draw less attention, female bombers are used because of “sensitivities in searching women, especially in conservative societies.

Perceiving women as nonviolent

Female stereotype, most especially as they are perceived as non-violent, feminine, or motherly are other reasons.

The Homeland Security report further suggests that “women increase the number of combatants to a groups’ depleted manpower. There is greater publicity for female bombers.