Terrorism and women: A study on ISIS-themed films and TV series

Terrorism has been discussed through many concepts and examples from the past to the present. The policies of global powers towards terrorism, the nature of the actions of terrorist organizations, the reasons for joining terrorist organizations and other issues continue to be examined for a better understanding of terrorism. It is possible to give ISIS as the most well-known and remarkable example in the post-September 11 period. The fact that ISIS promotes itself and its actions, especially on the internet, has been an important difference between it and other organizations. ISIS has aimed to strengthen the organization by using short films, magazines, newspapers and most importantly various social media applications. As a result of this, many movies and TV series about ISIS, most of which are based on real events experienced by people, have been made to reveal the effectiveness of the organization. In this context, in the study, the question of "How is the approach of ISIS towards women shown in movies and TV series about ISIS?" has been addressed. Through selected films and TV series about ISIS, the process of women joining ISIS and the situation of women in the areas under ISIS control were examined. In this context, in the first part of the study, the concepts of terrorism, terrorism and new media are mentioned, then the emergence and organization of ISIS and how ISIS uses new media are explained. In the second part, Layla M., Soeurs D'armes (Sisters in Arms), Le Ciel Attendra (Heaven Will Wait) and Profile films about ISIS and women are examined. In the third part of the study, Gharabeeb Soud (Black Crows) and Khalifat (Caliphate) TV series about ISIS and women are discussed. In these movies and TV series, most of which are based on real events, only the sections about women are cited. In this context, it has been shown in the study that ISIS has developed different methods to enable woman to join the organisaiton and to influence them, and that women are included in the organization willingly or because they are deceived by the effect of these methods, and they live under the control of men in the organization. Keywords: Terrorism, New Media, ISIS, Woman