[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          WOMEN AND TERRORISTS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the spread of terrorism and extremist 
ideas has claimed countless lives, destroyed hundreds of communities, 
and spawned radical groups around the world. Women, in particular, have 
long been the victims of these radical ideologies.
  Just last week, the terrorist group Boko Haram targeted a girl's 
school in Nigeria and abducted more than 100 young girls. This incident 
follows the 2014 abduction of 270 Nigerian school girls, of which 112 
are still missing. These acts are far from uncommon among Islamist 
terrorist organizations. Across the globe, jihadist networks subject 
women and young girls to horrendous human rights abuses. These male-
dominated extremist groups frequently deny basic rights, like access to 
education or political representation to women as a core component of 
their ideology.
  Terrorist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram are often the worst abusers 
of women, forcing them into marriages and sexual slavery. It should be 
no surprise that the status of women in a society is often an important 
indicator as to how vulnerable that society is to violence and 
radicalization.
  Yet, while being one of the primary targets of terrorist groups, 
women are also being radicalized and recruited into these groups. Some 
support the group's operations, enforce its laws, or marry and bear the 
children of terrorist fighters. Others actually commit these heinous 
acts of terror. In recent years, as many as 3,000 women have traveled 
to the Middle East to join ISIS with many becoming female suicide 
bombers.
  Despite the marginalization and brutality of women in extremist-held 
lands, repressive regimes, persistent conflict, and poor development 
policies can create conditions that make groups like ISIS be seen as an 
opportunity for women. Extremist groups exploit female grievances and 
claim to offer women greater empowerment and increased status--luring 
them into joining their extremist cause. Once radicalized, terrorist 
organizations will leverage the societal status of women to further 
their violent goals. For example, Boko Haram has exploited cultural 
perceptions of women in Nigeria as non-violent and unlikely to be 
involved in terrorism, to use them as intelligence and recruiting 
tools.
  In our efforts to combat terrorism and extremism abroad, we have 
neglected the important role women can play to actually prevent 
radicalization and facilitate peace-building in areas long-worn by 
violence. Women are well placed in homes, schools, and communities to 
challenge extremist narratives. Research shows that anti-terrorism 
messages can be more effectively spread by women because they are more 
directly involved with those most vulnerable to terrorist recruitment: 
the world's youth. Given their importance in families and communities, 
it is essential that women, both at home and abroad, are more 
meaningfully enlisted in the fight against terrorism.
  Two years ago as French police hunted for the mastermind behind the 
Paris attacks that killed 130, it was a woman who reported his 
whereabouts to police. Her role as a surrogate mother to family members 
of the attacker allowed her access and trust that men unfamiliar to the 
family would have never have gained. Her brave action prevented a 
planned follow-on attack.
  Meanwhile in Kosovo, it was women who were first in their communities 
to voice concerns when young men began stocking weapons and conducting 
training exercises in 1998. Unfortunately, these women's warnings of 
impending conflict were ignored. Such an example demonstrates the 
critical role of women in spotting emerging violence and gaining trust 
within families and communities. Unfortunately, we often lack their 
perspectives because women are underrepresented in governments where 
terrorist groups are most active. Because of their better ability to 
build trust, women have proven to improve the outcomes of conflict 
mediation and peace building.
  A study of 40 peace processes in 35 countries over the past 30 years, 
found that when women were involved, more agreements were reached, 
implemented, and sustained. As more and more terrorist groups threaten 
our country, our allies, and our interest throughout the world, it is 
vital that we leverage the talents and perspectives of women as part of 
a multifaceted approach to ensure security at home and abroad. It must 
be policy of the United States, that as we work in societies damaged by 
years of war and political unrest, we empower women to have a larger 
voice. While the men in these male-dominated cultures have continued to 
fight and disagree, it is the women, who are often the biggest victims 
that have demonstrated an ability to reach peaceful settlements.
  By taking important steps to integrate women into its security 
strategies, the U.S. will unleash untapped skills and abilities to 
defeat radical terrorists that would rather have them subjugated. In 
the fight against terrorism, we need everyone at the table--especially 
women. And that's just the way it is.

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