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ISIS' Targeting of "Defenceless" Women - A Case Study of the Terror Organisation ISIS' Use of Sexual Violence

Nordström, Frida LU (2017) SIMV07 20171
Department of Political Science
Master of Science in Global Studies
Graduate School
Abstract
The terror organization ISIS is using brutal sexual violence in their warfare, targeting women and children in Iraq and Syria. In 2015, more than 5000 women of the Yazidi minority were kidnapped and sold into sex slavery.

The aim with this thesis is to answer the research question “How does ISIS benefit from using sexual violence?”, by using the three indicators “good economy”, “motivation to fight for ISIS” and “destruction of enemy”. The research has been structured by looking at four different groups of analysis; the individual victims, ISIS, inhabitants of Iraq and Syria, and the Western World. A feminist theory about sexual violence in wartime has been used, which has both narrowed down the topic as well as have improved the... (More)
The terror organization ISIS is using brutal sexual violence in their warfare, targeting women and children in Iraq and Syria. In 2015, more than 5000 women of the Yazidi minority were kidnapped and sold into sex slavery.

The aim with this thesis is to answer the research question “How does ISIS benefit from using sexual violence?”, by using the three indicators “good economy”, “motivation to fight for ISIS” and “destruction of enemy”. The research has been structured by looking at four different groups of analysis; the individual victims, ISIS, inhabitants of Iraq and Syria, and the Western World. A feminist theory about sexual violence in wartime has been used, which has both narrowed down the topic as well as have improved the analysis of the thesis.

This is a case study of the case “ISIS” in the local context of Iraq and Syria. Materials that have been used are academic articles, ISIS’ magazine Dabiq and journalism, including documentaries and articles.

The results showed on that ISIS benefit from using sexual violence due to the existing gender roles, where women have the roles as innocent, weak and in need of protection, while men are considered as strong, powerful and given the responsibility to protect “their women”. When IS target women and children with sexual violence, it makes not only the ISIS fighters to feel masculine, but is also breaks down structures in the Syrian and Iraqi societies. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nordström, Frida LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMV07 20171
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
ISIS, Islamic State, sexual violence, terrorism, feminism.
language
English
id
8910567
date added to LUP
2017-07-03 12:47:54
date last changed
2017-07-03 12:47:54
@misc{8910567,
  abstract     = {{The terror organization ISIS is using brutal sexual violence in their warfare, targeting women and children in Iraq and Syria. In 2015, more than 5000 women of the Yazidi minority were kidnapped and sold into sex slavery. 

The aim with this thesis is to answer the research question “How does ISIS benefit from using sexual violence?”, by using the three indicators “good economy”, “motivation to fight for ISIS” and “destruction of enemy”. The research has been structured by looking at four different groups of analysis; the individual victims, ISIS, inhabitants of Iraq and Syria, and the Western World. A feminist theory about sexual violence in wartime has been used, which has both narrowed down the topic as well as have improved the analysis of the thesis.

This is a case study of the case “ISIS” in the local context of Iraq and Syria. Materials that have been used are academic articles, ISIS’ magazine Dabiq and journalism, including documentaries and articles. 

The results showed on that ISIS benefit from using sexual violence due to the existing gender roles, where women have the roles as innocent, weak and in need of protection, while men are considered as strong, powerful and given the responsibility to protect “their women”. When IS target women and children with sexual violence, it makes not only the ISIS fighters to feel masculine, but is also breaks down structures in the Syrian and Iraqi societies.}},
  author       = {{Nordström, Frida}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{ISIS' Targeting of "Defenceless" Women - A Case Study of the Terror Organisation ISIS' Use of Sexual Violence}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}