ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that there is a relationship between patriarchy and female suicide terrorism. Female suicide terrorism in Turkey should be treated in the context of the so-called Kurdish question, which is probably the most difficult and irresolvable in the 90-year history of the Turkish republic. Female suicide terrorism in Chechnya appeared during the Second Chechen War. Of the cases analyzed, whatever the perception of conflict, in all but one example none of the female suicide attacks were provoked directly by sentiments of indignation, revenge and anger. For some researchers, the extremely limited access of women to the public sphere provides an explanation for female suicide terrorism as a form of protest against this social injustice. The chapter also presents a standpoint that the motivation of individual female perpetrators goes beyond fundamental religion and ideology and is rooted in a reaffirmation of female identity as designed and tolerated by traditional patriarchal society.
