Much of the reporting on female jihadism has been marked by sensationalism as well as gender-based and orientalist stereotypes. The myth of the “sexual jihad”, which led to much coverage, illustrates this. While many media accounts have narrated stories of young girls having fallen prey to IS propaganda, little in-depth research has been done on the evolution of female jihadism and the particular drivers behind women’s decision to follow a jihadi ideology or to join a jihadist movement. An important aspect lies in the development of the role of the female jihadi over time. Whereas attacks carried out by females are by no means a novelty, they have become more common. As the ‘Islamic State’ Organization is losing ground, it is likely that women will be increasingly valuable assets for attacks, given that they generally raise less suspicion than their male counterparts.

Many contradictions become apparent when reflecting on this issue. Jihadi Salafi ideology is marked by firm gender segregation and harsh restrictions placed upon women. The role of women is seen as limited to household tasks and childrearing. How can this be reconciled with the combatant role of a “soldier”? Is this a new type of “Jihadi feminism”? How can it be acceptable for a woman confined to the family home to travel for sometimes thousands of kilometers to join men in battle? How do female jihadis accept or justify the misogynistic attitudes of their male counterparts and transgressions like the rape of women and young girls? What is the common ground between a young girl leaving from the UK and a mature, highly-educated woman joining from Saudi Arabia?