Female Vulnerabilities for Terrorist Activities in the Sahel Zone

This paper addresses the issue of vulnerability of women and girls in the Sahel region with regard to terrorist activities. To this end, the current political, economic, social and religious situation in the region is first illustrated using selected examples. In a further step the issue of gender (in-)equality in the Sahel is discussed, which is considered as a possible factor for female vulnerability regarding extremist groups. As a result, examples in particular from Mali—as one of the main concerned countries in the Sahel—are used to discuss the motivations of women and girls to participate in radical Islamic terrorism. Prevention approaches that consider women as allies in the fight against poverty, educational deprivation, gender inequality, sexism and, above all, jihadist radicalization are also debated because they show that women and girls have access to spaces, actors and communities often restricted to men. With their help, the situation in the Sahel could be changed step by step, despite all the impediments related to women, supported by (inter)national aid. Following this approach, the present chapter ends with an appeal to provide women in the affected regions with assistance, because their role to prevent the attractiveness of terrorist organizations is invaluable. By highlighting other girls and women alternatives to joining extremist activities and groups with the help of their own development opportunities, these women function as role models for many women and girls who understand their participation in terrorist activities as a “last resort” from their individual misery. Furthermore, the empowerment of Sahelian women could contribute to the prevention approaches which aim that women do not become victims of jihadist violence.