Feminist Perspectives in Conflict: Unraveling Motivations Behind Female Combatants in Insurgent Groups

Abstract

The shift from interstate wars to civil conflicts has blurred the lines between combatants and civilians, which has increased the visibility of women in these roles. However, despite their roles, women have historically been overlooked in research on the motivations of participation of insurgents. This paper seeks to rectify this by focusing on female combatants in asymmetric conflicts. Using various insurgent groups as reference, and drawing on anecdotal and empirical evidence, the study highlights the intersectional factors that influence women’s participation in such groups.

Despite their significant involvement, female combatants remain under-researched, particularly in non-state conflicts. This paper seeks to bridge this gap by creating an evidence map that categorizes existing research and identifies unanswered questions, building a foundation for future studies and potential policy development. The methodology involved a comprehensive search across databases, highlighting the challenges of researching within the field, from insufficient reporting on the presence and role of women to a lack of infrastructure for filtering in databases. These gaps highlight the need for better research tools and broader contextual studies. This evidence map revealed that motivations for participation are not gender-based, but rather the difference in participation is influenced by intersecting contexts such as religious, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. By examining the evolving landscape of non-state conflicts, this paper underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of women’s participation in irregular armed forces, informing future research directions and enhancing the discourse on gender and conflict.