Muhammad Ali Babak Khel
SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
Apparently, terrorism and counterterrorism are male dominated areas where women have no space in the decision-making apparatus and operational wings but often women are found to be indirect contributors of terrorist missions, hence effective counterterrorism warrants female inclusiveness. As women are victims, facilitators, sympathisers, enablers and perpetrators of extremism, peace builders and law enforcers, their incorporation will earn dividends. The gravity of the situation demands the integration of women in de-radicalisation, intelligence collection, community policing and counterterrorism.
Counterterrorism initiatives can broadly be classified as hard and soft approaches. Women can be effectively employed in soft counterterrorism interventions. The soft approach primarily focuses on family members and community. In prevention of extremism and terrorism, women as mothers, sisters and wives can play multiple roles. In our context, in prevention of extremism, women can ensure miracles. Mothers can prevent their children from falling prey to extremism. In a closed, traditional, tribal society, women as facilitators or sympathisers to the extremists can play an effective role; hence their role in de-radicalisation needs to be acknowledged. In the prevailing circumstances, women are vulnerable and can be easily dragged into such a vicious circle of extremism. Owing to socio-cultural barriers it is almost impossible for law enforcement officials to have access to such female facilitators. Since women are perceived as non-violent, they do not undergo thorough body searches. Consequently, they get soft treatment from the police. In closed-door societies, policemen are denied access to the inner core of families but trained female investigators may interact with female folk and collect credible intelligence. The situation warrants employment of women in the intelligence collection apparatus of the police.
Research has proved that to hoodwink anti-terrorism agencies there are instances of transferring money where women have opened bank accounts with maiden names. Such a trend also needs to be checked by the law enforcement agencies. Prior to 2008, in Swat, through an illegally installed FM radio, the innocent female folk were addressed via live broadcast. Their ears were poisoned and they were motivated to contribute jewelry and cash to finance extremism. Involvement of women in terrorism and extremism is not novel but owing to increased media hype, their role is puffed up. In the past, in terrorism missions, women’s roles were of an auxiliary nature but extremist organisations in the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Chechnya redefined their roles. Historically, women were confined to intelligence gathering and healthcare. However, female suicide bombers of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Hamas were effectively used as human bombs. Such incorporation in the strategy earned worldwide publicity for these organisations.
Now terrorist organisations are employing women in enabler, propagandist, inspirational and motivational roles. but proactive societies have opted for a more realistic approach and have incorporated women in preventive and disengagement roles.
In 1969, as part of a hijacking team, Leila Khaled won worldwide fame. By employing women for terrorist missions, the LTTE introduced innovative techniques. The soft corner among followers of the LTTE may be estimated from one-third presence of women in the LTTE. The black tigresses of the LTTE and Chechen black widows earned worldwide attention. In the Israel-Palestine conflict, 28-year-old Wafa Idris was the first female suicide bomber, detonating herself in 2002. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade used her mission as a motivational tool to attract women into their fold. Mass media glorifies such characters, multiplying the publicity of such organisations. Through fake IDs on social media, extremists are trying to win the emotional attention of women.
The presence of women among Chechen fighters (black widows) and in LTTE speaks of the operational existence of women in terrorist organisations. In the 2002 Moscow theatre hostage crisis, a number of hostage takers were female. Using women in such extreme violent acts also exhibited the helplessness of that community. According to media reports, 500 European women recently joined Islamic State (IS). Women associated with IS were found to be active propagandists.
In families, mothers are leaders, teachers and role models who can instantly sniff violent and radical behaviour and anger in children. Therefore, they can act as early-warning mechanisms. Mothers can prevent radicalisation and also act as an effective de-radicalisation agent. Mothers inculcate tolerance and a problem solving approach. For internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugee camps the government and NGOs should design mother-focused de-radicalisation and preventive programmes.
In the post-bomb blast scenario women may also be the victims. Owing to cultural taboos it becomes difficult for policemen to rescue the victims. In 2009, during a rescue mission in Meena Bazaar, Peshawar, it was difficult for policemen to recover injured women and burnt female dead bodies. In such scenarios as first responders, policewomen and female rescue workers may play an effective role.
The Security Council resolution 1325 reaffirms the role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction, and stresses the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. The volunteerism of a few women who recently joined as commandos in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and counterterrorism force in Punjab seems a realisation on the part of those apparently considered the weaker segment but proved determined to play their part in counterterrorism.
In 2008, Women without Borders introduced a pioneer female counterterrorism platform called Sisters Against Violent Extremism (SAVE). SAVE primarily focused on the role of mothers and flashed the slogan: “Mothers for change”. In Indonesia, Fatayat NU is the women’s wing of Nahdlatul Ulema (a socio-religious organisation) mandated to empower women to eradicate violence and play a positive role in society. In Pakistan, women wings of political parties and civil society organisations also need to design such initiatives and practically contribute towards peace.
Realistically speaking, we are already too late in incorporating women in such initiatives. It is high time to recognise women as the first line of defence. Let us sensitise mothers to recognise the signs of radicalisation and cure the cancer of extremism.
Courtesy: Dailytimes.com.pk
pakistan.shafaqna.com
