The Role of Pakhtun Women in Militant Organizations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) and Nangarhar (Afghanistan)

Abstract

The involvement of women in militancy is a growing reality across the world, yet their roles often remain hidden or underestimated. In societies like the Pakhtun belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan and Nangarhar (Afghanistan), women are usually seen as confined to domestic spaces. However, evidence shows that they too participate in militancy, both directly and indirectly. This study explores the ways in which Pakhtun women contribute to militant organizations, the factors that draw them into such activities, and the differences and similarities across the two regions. The research is based on qualitative methods, using unstructured interviews with women who have been directly or indirectly linked to militancy, along with secondary sources such as literature, reports, and documentaries. Findings reveal that women in these regions are not merely passive supporters but play active roles in militancy. Their contributions range from providing money and shelter, spreading militant ideology, and assisting with logistics, to spying and even carrying out suicide bombings. Patriarchal control, unquestioned religious devotion, and experiences of personal or communal loss emerge as the most powerful motivations. A comparison of KP and Nangarhar shows many parallels, though the forms of women’s involvement vary with local conditions and the structures of militant groups. The study argues that addressing women’s involvement in militancy requires more than just security measures. It calls for policies that empower women, challenge patriarchal structures, and offer alternative roles in peace-building and community resilience.

Keywords: Militancy, Terrorism, Pakhtun Women, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nangarhar, Gender and Conflict