Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years and 2020

Floor Speech

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Ms. FRANKEL. Madam Chair, this amendment takes an important step toward fighting terrorism. It would require the Director of National Intelligence to submit an intelligence assessment on the relationship between women and violent extremism and terrorism.

Madam Chair, to prevent ISIS 2.0 and to improve U.S. counterterrorism and peace-building efforts, we need to pay more attention to the roles that women play in violent extremism, including as victims, as perpetrators, and as preventers.

First, as victims, women are often the first targets of terrorism. We have seen it with the abduction and rape of thousands of women and girls by ISIS, the kidnapping of hundreds of girls by Boko Haram in Nigeria, and the attack of girls just trying to go to school by the Taliban.

Secondly, Madam Chair, women are not only the victims of terrorism. Some are perpetrators. Recent research shows that women are turning to terror organizations because of false promises of protection, escape from abuse at home, and even, believe it or not, for leadership opportunities. As a result, women-led attacks are rising. In fact, now, 20 to 30 percent of foreign terrorist fighters are women. In sub- Saharan Africa alone, three out of four child suicide bombers are girls.

Madam Chair, women are not only victims and perpetrators of terrorism. They are also preventers, as mothers, wives, and daughters. They influence their spouses and children. They are on the front line of detecting early signs of radicalization in their families and communities.

Madam Chair, because of gender inequality, their warnings are often ignored.

Let me give you an example. Afghan women saw young men being recruited at a wedding, and they shared their concerns with law enforcement. They were dismissed. Later, those same recruits went on to kill 32 people in a bus attack.

I conclude, Madam Chair, by saying that understanding women's unique roles in terrorism is important to creating more peaceful communities around the world, which results in more security for the United States of America.

Madam Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this very important amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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