Why did ISIS use sexual and gender based violence against Yezidi girls and women: Obligation, Patriarchy, or Just a Tool of War?

Five years have passed since the attack on Sinjar, and no one could have predicted the outcome we have witnessed. With the dismantling of ISIS, a myriad of consequences built over the years has come crashing down to the contemporary political climate. The quell of ISIS as a land-owning non-state actor may be seen as a victory, yet, the slow process of piecing together what truly happened behind the closed veil of the so-called Caliphate is the true feat. Among all of the unknown also lies the troublesome subject of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV). It is no secret that gender based violence played a prominent part in the so-called Islamic State’s reign to power, but the question remains; Why did ISIS use sexual and gender based violence against Yezidi girls and Women? There are three hypotheses that this thesis will test to understand ISIS’ use of rape against Yezidi girls and women: a) tool of war, b) patriarchy and c) religion. By analysing the rationale behind these three...Show moreFive years have passed since the attack on Sinjar, and no one could have predicted the outcome we have witnessed. With the dismantling of ISIS, a myriad of consequences built over the years has come crashing down to the contemporary political climate. The quell of ISIS as a land-owning non-state actor may be seen as a victory, yet, the slow process of piecing together what truly happened behind the closed veil of the so-called Caliphate is the true feat. Among all of the unknown also lies the troublesome subject of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV). It is no secret that gender based violence played a prominent part in the so-called Islamic State’s reign to power, but the question remains; Why did ISIS use sexual and gender based violence against Yezidi girls and Women? There are three hypotheses that this thesis will test to understand ISIS’ use of rape against Yezidi girls and women: a) tool of war, b) patriarchy and c) religion. By analysing the rationale behind these three hypotheses this thesis will contribute to a more systematic understanding of ISIS’ modus operandi.Show less

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Why did ISIS use sexual and gender based violence against Yezidi girls and women: Obligation, Patriarchy, or Just a Tool of War?