Noncombat Participation in Rebellion: A Gendered Typology

Summary

A new conceptual typology of participation in rebellion identifies four dimensions along which individuals are involved in noncombat labor: logistics, outreach, governance, and community management. These duties are gendered in ways that often make women’s experiences and opportunities uniquely advantageous for rebel organizations. An in-depth analysis of women’s noncombat participation in the Provisional Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland demonstrates this typology’s purpose and promise. Attention to noncombat labor enables a more comprehensive analysis of rebel groups and of civil wars.