IS 'thrown' many women in Asia

IS recruiters found that a woman carrying a bomb-carrying backpack was less suspicious than men and was aiming at recruiting female warriors.
Last month, the events of eight Indonesian women who fled to Syria to join the self-proclaimed Islamic State Organization (IS) once again showcase the organization's appeal to women, especially in Asia.

Break gender stereotypes
South China Morning Post said this is not the first case. On December 10, 1974, Indonesian police arrested Dian Yulia Novi, one of seven suspects attempting to bomb the Indonesian presidency. After a few days, another girl, Ika Puspitasari, was arrested in Bali. They were considered the first suicide bombers in Indonesia and were IS supporters.

In Singapore, a woman has been detained for planning a trip to Syria against Islamist extremism.
According to a researcher on feminism and gender equality Lies Marcoes, the appearance of women in religious organizations is not new. However, she noted that the change in the role and influence of women in the functioning of extremist organizations was of concern.

Traditionally, the role of Islamic women in extremist organizations is limited to the birth and care of children, especially boys, so that they become warriors as adults.

However, in a recent study conducted by the Rumah Kita Bersama organization and interviewed over 20 women who have been or have been involved in extremist religious groups, the results show that the new generation of women are participating in " Holy war "is independent, strong and well educated.

It is because of good education that these women are highly feminist and want to break the stereotype of Muslims in general as well as extremist organizations in particular.

According to Mrs Marcoes, in order to exercise their equal rights, the women displayed bravery just like men through bank robbery, bomb making or bombing.

Attractive invitations from social networks
According to the Institute of Conflict Studies (IPAC) based in Indonesia, social networking has helped increase the number and influence of women in extremist organizations. The IPAC study points out that social media and online chatting applications are increasingly attracting qualified Indonesian women or foreign women who join IS.

Dian Yulia, who nearly became the first Indonesian suicide bomber to actually serve as a maid in Taiwan. Through Facebook, she connects and becomes closer to the head of recruiting for IS in Indonesia, Bahrun Naim.

Similarly, 22-year-old Syaikhah Izzah Al Ansari was the first Singaporean to be jailed for her religious extremism on social networks. Not only showing her philosophy of life and extreme belief, Izzah also expressed the wish to marry an IS warrior.
Fiction about a good life, happiness is the "fishing rod" that IS used to attract young girls to the organization through social networks. However, the picture of good life on the completely bogus.

According to Leefa and Nur, two out of eight Indonesian women who returned to their country after joining the IS, said they were promised over the Internet by the agency's representatives for a free return, health care and Job security. However, the reality is quite the opposite and this is also the reason they are very disappointed, want to quickly return home.

As a feminist feminist, Marcoes says she is deeply troubled by the current situation as governments do not take measures to cope with the growing number of women joining the IS. According to her, responsible people still do not recognize the role of women in this matter.

The terrorist analyst Sidney Jones shares the same view.

Bahrun Naim (IS recruiter in Indonesia) wants to focus on women because he sees women carrying large bags on their backs will not be suspicious of men. Meanwhile, women bombing has left terrible consequences as men, such as those in Palestine, Iraq and Chechnya, "South China Morning Post quoted Jones.

Major attacks are being committed by radical Islamic organizations to women. Therefore, it is extremely disastrous to overlook the role of women in organizations.