ICC Note:

Females are often ignored and endure some of the worst treatment in persecuted countries. Radical extremists have begun to take advantage of society’s mistreatment of women. Because women are often ignored, they are becoming the perfect attacker, especially suicide bomber. In addition, extremists can capitalize on feelings of insecurity, worthlessness, and condemnation to recruit women. The increasing trend of using women as terrorists can bring fear and uncertainty in vulnerable populations, like Christians, who seek to help those society ignores.

12/29/2016 Kenya (Voice of America) In September, three people attacked a police station in Mombasa, Kenya. They stabbed one police officer and set fire to the building before being shot dead, according to Kenyan police. The incident drew international attention, not only for the brazenness of the attack, but for the gender of the attackers: all three were women.

Experts say female extremism is on the rise in Kenya and across the continent, as terror groups look for recruits who are less likely to elicit suspicion and can move through cities and checkpoints without being searched by police.

The results are deadly. For instance, in northeast Nigeria and Cameroon between June 2014 and April 2016, officials recorded more than 200 female suicide bombers killed more than 1,000 people.

Phyllis Muema is the executive director of the Kenya Community Support Center based in Mombasa that works with young people and their families at risk of being indoctrinated by violent extremist groups. Muema said she has noticed in the past year that extremist groups are focusing more attention on recruiting women.

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