Despite increasing literature on armed women’s participation in rebel groups, few studies have investigated the influence of female combatants on conflict dynamics. This thesis contributes to the...Show moreDespite increasing literature on armed women’s participation in rebel groups, few studies have investigated the influence of female combatants on conflict dynamics. This thesis contributes to the discussion by analyzing how the presence of female combatants influences conflict lethality. Following a mixed-methods approach and combining multiple linear regression analyses with an in-depth case study of the Somali rebel group Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen (HSM), this thesis investigates how gendered expectations shape the behavior of female combatants and the threat perception of their enemies. Summarily, the results indicate a significant effect of the presence and prevalence of female combatants on the lethality of civil wars. Moreover, these findings contribute to an increased understanding of women’s participation in civil wars.Show less
