04 April 2025
CO25070 | Unveiling the Threat: Women’s Expanding Roles in Terrorism and Radicalisation
SYNOPSIS
The increasing involvement of women in terrorism challenges traditional perceptions and necessitates a shift in counterterrorism strategies. Recent cases in Singapore illustrate how women are radicalised through online propaganda, familial influence, and ideological indoctrination, leading to their participation in extremist activities. Addressing this evolving threat demands gender-sensitive prevention and rehabilitation efforts, community engagement, digital counterterrorism, and tailored intervention programmes to counter radicalisation at its roots.
COMMENTARY
The recent detention of a 15-year-old self-radicalised female student in Singapore highlights the growing vulnerability of young individuals, especially women, to extremist influences online. Her case, the first involving a female minor under the Internal Security Act (ISA), signals an alarming shift in radicalisation trends, where even adolescents are being drawn to violent ideologies.
This underscores the urgency of addressing radicalisation at its early stages, particularly in digital spaces where extremist propaganda thrives. Just months earlier, the case of a 56-year-old radicalised housewife demonstrated that women are no longer confined to passive roles in extremist networks. These developments challenge traditional assumptions about gender and radicalisation, reinforcing the need for targeted intervention efforts across different demographic groups.
In many cases, women were often involved as facilitators of terrorism, providing logistical support, acting as recruiters, or serving as symbols of ideological purity. However, recent trends show a growing number of women assuming leadership roles, engaging in combat, and even carrying out suicide attacks. Several factors drive this shift, including ideological indoctrination, social and economic disenfranchisement, and extremist organisations’ strategic exploitation of gender norms.
Terrorist groups such as ISIS, Boko Haram, and Al-Qaeda have actively sought to recruit women, recognising their potential to evade security measures and access targets that male operatives might struggle to reach. Extremist groups have used women as suicide bombers, assassins, and enforcers of their doctrine. In some instances, they have also taken on prominent roles in radicalisation efforts, using online platforms to spread extremist propaganda and recruit new members.
Increased Involvement of Women
Singapore has witnessed an increasing number of women being dealt with under the ISA for radicalisation. The first female was detained under the ISA in June 2017, marking a turning point in the extent of female involvement in extremist activities. She had been radicalised online and was actively planning to travel to Syria to join ISIS.
Another case emerged in April 2021 when a 34-year-old housewife and part-time freelance religious teacher was also detained under the ISA. Investigations revealed that she had been radicalised by her husband and supported his intention to fight for ISIS. Her case highlighted the role of familial influence in radicalisation. These cases demonstrate that radicalisation among women is not an isolated phenomenon but rather part of a larger pattern that requires targeted intervention strategies.
One reason for the increased involvement of women in terrorism is the advantage they have in being female. Authorities have designed many security protocols and counterterrorism measures with male terrorists in mind. Women have been able to exploit this security oversight. For example, female operatives have successfully bypassed security checks due to cultural sensitivities about physical searches of women. In Afghanistan and other conservative Islamic societies, male security personnel are often reluctant to search women. This has led to an increase in female suicide bombers, as seen in Nigeria, where Boko Haram has deployed hundreds of women and girls in attacks.
Another factor is the role of online radicalisation. Social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps have provided a new avenue for extremist groups to target and recruit women. These platforms offer anonymity and direct access to radical ideologies, enabling women to engage in extremist activities from their homes. In some cases, extremist groups have tasked them with disseminating propaganda, managing fundraising efforts, or even planning attacks remotely. Of great concern, as the case of the 56-year-old housewife indicates, is her ability to mute and isolate her online activities from the attention of family members.
Women’s pathways to radicalisation are complex and influenced by a variety of psychological, social, and economic factors. Some women are susceptible to and influenced by extremist ideologies and see participation in terrorism as a religious or political duty. Repetitive images of mothers and children being displaced, separated, or killed may awaken powerful maternal instincts, driving them to fraternise, defend, and protect. Many women also become radicalised through the path of family connections or romantic relationships.
For some, terrorism offers a sense of purpose and empowerment. They may feel disillusioned with what they view as inappropriate or insufficient societal management of worldwide discrimination and power abuses and seek agency through extremist movements. Women who have experienced personal trauma or loss – whether due to war, discrimination, or political oppression – may see extremist groups as a means of retaliation or justice. Observers have noted how some women in Singapore have been radicalised through the above phenomena.
While some women still primarily play passive roles in terrorist networks – offering logistical support, spreading propaganda, or serving as ideological enforcers – there has been a noticeable shift towards more direct involvement in violent extremism. They now dominate roles once held by men, such as combatants, recruiters, strategists, and leaders within extremist organisations. This trend, which has been underway for the last two decades, is gaining significance that is hard to ignore as it creeps onto our shores.
Gender-Sensitive Approach to Counterterrorism
Given the increasing participation of women in terrorism, counterterrorism efforts must adapt to address gender-specific factors in radicalisation. Law enforcement agencies must develop protocols that address the specific ways in which extremist groups exploit women, including training female security personnel and implementing more thorough screening procedures.
In the preventive scene, empowering more women to engage in anti-radicalisation strategies is crucial at the grassroots level. Religious leaders, educators, and community organisations must work together to counter extremist narratives and provide alternative pathways for women seeking empowerment.
Tailored rehabilitation efforts must be in place to address the unique motivations and experiences of radicalised women. The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) has involved female counsellors to provide counselling and ideological re-education for women detained under the ISA.
Given the significant impact of online radicalisation, authorities must strengthen digital counterterrorism strategies to combat extremist influence effectively. Governments and tech companies should collaborate to monitor extremist content and provide counter-narratives that challenge radical ideologies.
Conclusion
The evolving role of women in terrorism necessitates a re-evaluation of traditional counterterrorism approaches. No longer confined to passive roles, women are increasingly active in radicalisation, recruitment, and even operational planning. The cases of radicalised women in Singapore highlight the need for proactive and gender-sensitive strategies to combat violent extremism. By acknowledging and addressing the gender-specific dynamics of radicalisation, authorities can develop more effective prevention and intervention measures.
Authorities should also recognise the diverse roles women play in extremist networks, implement targeted rehabilitation programmes, and strengthen community-based initiatives to counter radicalisation at its roots. Ultimately, combating terrorism requires a holistic approach that considers the evolving nature of threats and adapts accordingly. Understanding the unique motivations and pathways of women in terrorism will be key to building more resilient societies and preventing the spread of violent extremism.
About the Authors
Mohamed Bin Ali is a Senior Fellow in the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Rafillah Rapit is a postgraduate student in Strategic Studies at RSIS. This commentary is part of a series leading up to the International Conference on Cohesive Societies 2025.
SYNOPSIS
The increasing involvement of women in terrorism challenges traditional perceptions and necessitates a shift in counterterrorism strategies. Recent cases in Singapore illustrate how women are radicalised through online propaganda, familial influence, and ideological indoctrination, leading to their participation in extremist activities. Addressing this evolving threat demands gender-sensitive prevention and rehabilitation efforts, community engagement, digital counterterrorism, and tailored intervention programmes to counter radicalisation at its roots.
COMMENTARY
The recent detention of a 15-year-old self-radicalised female student in Singapore highlights the growing vulnerability of young individuals, especially women, to extremist influences online. Her case, the first involving a female minor under the Internal Security Act (ISA), signals an alarming shift in radicalisation trends, where even adolescents are being drawn to violent ideologies.
This underscores the urgency of addressing radicalisation at its early stages, particularly in digital spaces where extremist propaganda thrives. Just months earlier, the case of a 56-year-old radicalised housewife demonstrated that women are no longer confined to passive roles in extremist networks. These developments challenge traditional assumptions about gender and radicalisation, reinforcing the need for targeted intervention efforts across different demographic groups.
In many cases, women were often involved as facilitators of terrorism, providing logistical support, acting as recruiters, or serving as symbols of ideological purity. However, recent trends show a growing number of women assuming leadership roles, engaging in combat, and even carrying out suicide attacks. Several factors drive this shift, including ideological indoctrination, social and economic disenfranchisement, and extremist organisations’ strategic exploitation of gender norms.
Terrorist groups such as ISIS, Boko Haram, and Al-Qaeda have actively sought to recruit women, recognising their potential to evade security measures and access targets that male operatives might struggle to reach. Extremist groups have used women as suicide bombers, assassins, and enforcers of their doctrine. In some instances, they have also taken on prominent roles in radicalisation efforts, using online platforms to spread extremist propaganda and recruit new members.
Increased Involvement of Women
Singapore has witnessed an increasing number of women being dealt with under the ISA for radicalisation. The first female was detained under the ISA in June 2017, marking a turning point in the extent of female involvement in extremist activities. She had been radicalised online and was actively planning to travel to Syria to join ISIS.
Another case emerged in April 2021 when a 34-year-old housewife and part-time freelance religious teacher was also detained under the ISA. Investigations revealed that she had been radicalised by her husband and supported his intention to fight for ISIS. Her case highlighted the role of familial influence in radicalisation. These cases demonstrate that radicalisation among women is not an isolated phenomenon but rather part of a larger pattern that requires targeted intervention strategies.
One reason for the increased involvement of women in terrorism is the advantage they have in being female. Authorities have designed many security protocols and counterterrorism measures with male terrorists in mind. Women have been able to exploit this security oversight. For example, female operatives have successfully bypassed security checks due to cultural sensitivities about physical searches of women. In Afghanistan and other conservative Islamic societies, male security personnel are often reluctant to search women. This has led to an increase in female suicide bombers, as seen in Nigeria, where Boko Haram has deployed hundreds of women and girls in attacks.
Another factor is the role of online radicalisation. Social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps have provided a new avenue for extremist groups to target and recruit women. These platforms offer anonymity and direct access to radical ideologies, enabling women to engage in extremist activities from their homes. In some cases, extremist groups have tasked them with disseminating propaganda, managing fundraising efforts, or even planning attacks remotely. Of great concern, as the case of the 56-year-old housewife indicates, is her ability to mute and isolate her online activities from the attention of family members.
Women’s pathways to radicalisation are complex and influenced by a variety of psychological, social, and economic factors. Some women are susceptible to and influenced by extremist ideologies and see participation in terrorism as a religious or political duty. Repetitive images of mothers and children being displaced, separated, or killed may awaken powerful maternal instincts, driving them to fraternise, defend, and protect. Many women also become radicalised through the path of family connections or romantic relationships.
For some, terrorism offers a sense of purpose and empowerment. They may feel disillusioned with what they view as inappropriate or insufficient societal management of worldwide discrimination and power abuses and seek agency through extremist movements. Women who have experienced personal trauma or loss – whether due to war, discrimination, or political oppression – may see extremist groups as a means of retaliation or justice. Observers have noted how some women in Singapore have been radicalised through the above phenomena.
While some women still primarily play passive roles in terrorist networks – offering logistical support, spreading propaganda, or serving as ideological enforcers – there has been a noticeable shift towards more direct involvement in violent extremism. They now dominate roles once held by men, such as combatants, recruiters, strategists, and leaders within extremist organisations. This trend, which has been underway for the last two decades, is gaining significance that is hard to ignore as it creeps onto our shores.
Gender-Sensitive Approach to Counterterrorism
Given the increasing participation of women in terrorism, counterterrorism efforts must adapt to address gender-specific factors in radicalisation. Law enforcement agencies must develop protocols that address the specific ways in which extremist groups exploit women, including training female security personnel and implementing more thorough screening procedures.
In the preventive scene, empowering more women to engage in anti-radicalisation strategies is crucial at the grassroots level. Religious leaders, educators, and community organisations must work together to counter extremist narratives and provide alternative pathways for women seeking empowerment.
Tailored rehabilitation efforts must be in place to address the unique motivations and experiences of radicalised women. The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) has involved female counsellors to provide counselling and ideological re-education for women detained under the ISA.
Given the significant impact of online radicalisation, authorities must strengthen digital counterterrorism strategies to combat extremist influence effectively. Governments and tech companies should collaborate to monitor extremist content and provide counter-narratives that challenge radical ideologies.
Conclusion
The evolving role of women in terrorism necessitates a re-evaluation of traditional counterterrorism approaches. No longer confined to passive roles, women are increasingly active in radicalisation, recruitment, and even operational planning. The cases of radicalised women in Singapore highlight the need for proactive and gender-sensitive strategies to combat violent extremism. By acknowledging and addressing the gender-specific dynamics of radicalisation, authorities can develop more effective prevention and intervention measures.
Authorities should also recognise the diverse roles women play in extremist networks, implement targeted rehabilitation programmes, and strengthen community-based initiatives to counter radicalisation at its roots. Ultimately, combating terrorism requires a holistic approach that considers the evolving nature of threats and adapts accordingly. Understanding the unique motivations and pathways of women in terrorism will be key to building more resilient societies and preventing the spread of violent extremism.
About the Authors
Mohamed Bin Ali is a Senior Fellow in the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Rafillah Rapit is a postgraduate student in Strategic Studies at RSIS. This commentary is part of a series leading up to the International Conference on Cohesive Societies 2025.
