FEMINISTS
1. Weather Underground (U.S., 1970s)
Key Figures: Bernardine Dohrn, Kathy Boudin.
Ideology: Leftist revolutionary feminism mixed with anti-imperialism.
Actions: Bombings (e.g., U.S. Capitol, Pentagon) aimed at symbols of patriarchy and militarism.
Motive: Anti-Vietnam War, anti-racism, anti-patriarchy.
2. Rote Zora (Germany, 1970s–1990s)
All-Female Militant Group
Ideology: Radical feminist and anti-capitalist.
Actions: Bombings and arson targeting genetic research labs, sex industry businesses, and abortion restriction offices.
Motive: Reproductive rights, anti-patriarchy, opposition to exploitation of women.
3. Individual Radical Feminist Attacks (Various Countries)
Examples:
Valerie Solanas (U.S., 1968): Shot Andy Warhol. Authored the SCUM Manifesto advocating for elimination of men.
Unaffiliated lone actors inspired by misandrist or separatist ideologies (very rare).
Motive: Radical or extremist forms of feminist separatism or retaliation against male-dominated structures.
4. Angry Brigade (UK, 1970s)
Mixed-gender anarchist collective
Notable Woman: Anna Mendleson.
Ideology: Feminist-anarchist.
Actions: Bombings of government and corporate targets.
Motive: Anti-capitalist and feminist opposition to state oppression.
5. Feminist Involvement in Anarcha-Feminist Movements (Global, 2000s–Present)
Regions: Chile, Spain, Argentina, Mexico.
Actions: Vandalism, Molotovs, clashes with police during women’s rights protests (e.g., anti-femicide, abortion rights).
Ideology: Anarcha-feminism; critique of patriarchy and state violence.
Examples: Attacks on churches and police stations during Latin American feminist marches.
6. Femen (Ukraine/Europe, 2010s)
Actions: Not overtly violent but highly confrontational (e.g., topless protests, property destruction).
Ideology: Radical feminism, anti-patriarchy, anti-clericalism.
Targets: Religious institutions, authoritarian leaders.
Controversy: Accused of encouraging confrontational tactics bordering on violent direct action.
POLITICAL
1. Chechen “Black Widows” (2000s, Russia)
Nature: Female suicide bombers, often widows of slain militants.
Target: Russian civilians and military targets.
Notable incidents: Moscow theater hostage crisis (2002), Beslan school siege (2004).
Motive: Revenge and separatist aims.
2. Tamil Tigers (LTTE) Female Suicide Bombers (1980s–2000s, Sri Lanka)
Group: LTTE pioneered use of women in suicide attacks.
Notable incident: Assassination of Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi (1991) by Thenmozhi Rajaratnam.
Motive: Tamil separatism.
3. Boko Haram’s Use of Female Suicide Bombers (2010s–Present, Nigeria)
Tactic: Forcibly conscripted women and girls used as bombers.
Targets: Markets, mosques, checkpoints.
Motive: Islamist insurgency.
4. Palestinian Female Militants (2000s, Middle East)
Examples: Wafa Idris (2002), first Palestinian female suicide bomber.
Groups: Hamas, Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade.
Motive: Anti-Israel resistance.
5. Ulrike Meinhof & Red Army Faction (1970s, Germany)
Leader: Ulrike Meinhof co-founded the far-left militant group.
Crimes: Bombings, kidnappings, assassinations.
Motive: Anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist ideology.
6. Japanese Red Army (1970s, Japan/Global)
Notable member: Fusako Shigenobu.
Crimes: International terrorism including airport massacres.
Motive: Marxist revolution.
7. Women in ISIS (2014–Present, Syria/Iraq/Europe)
Roles: Some women actively recruited, carried out or inspired attacks.
Example: 2015 Paris attackers’ female associate, Hasna Aït Boulahcen.
Motive: Islamist extremism.
8. Revolutionary Naxalite Women (India, 2000s–Present)
Role: Women in leadership and combat positions in Maoist insurgency.
Violence: Ambushes, killings of security forces.
Motive: Communist revolution, caste/class struggle.
9. Female Involvement in U.S. Political Violence (Recent Years)
Examples: Some women involved in Jan 6 Capitol riot (2021), anti-government plots.
Motive: Far-right extremism, election denialism, anti-state sentiments.