Gendered Terrorism: Women in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

The literature on women in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suggests that the group embraces feminism and is an “equal opportunity” terrorist group. In reality, women’s role in the LTTE conforms to the gender norms of terrorist organizations. The existing canon on women in terrorism, and specifically the LTTE, requires a critical review and comprehensive analysis to understand women’s role in political violence. The research presented in this article will address the three key areas in which women are commonly misrepresented (recruiting, equality, and women’s rights), and will compare the LTTE to other terrorist groups in order to create a framework for understanding the roles and experiences of women in terrorism.