Former Experiences and a Terrorist Leader's Decision to Recruit Female Members

• In Event: Lightning Round: Research in Five: Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Violent terrorist groups are increasingly utilizing and recruiting female members for inclusion within the organization. Terrorist groups with a Marxist-oriented ideology are more likely to have and utilize female members at higher rates (Wood & Thomas, 2016). However, within left-leaning terrorist groups there are still varying degrees of involvement of female members. What other factors contribute to the varying degrees of the presence of females in combatant, leadership and decision-making roles? We argue that the formative experiences of leaders before becoming the leader of a major terrorist group has the potential to impact the recruitment or allowance of females into certain roles of the organization. Through a case study analysis of left-leaning terrorist groups within the Latin American region, we evaluate how the leader’s previous experiences correspond to the degree of involvement of female members.

Authors

• Kristen Budsberg, University of Georgia

• Amanda Murdie, University of Georgia