Given the patriarchal structure of Tamil society, one wonders what factors make young Sri Lankan Tamil women to enroll themselves into the LTTE. Are they making any significant difference to the fighting qualities of the Tigers? Is there any change in their perceptions of womanhood after they join the fighting force?

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam is one of the few militant groups (others that recruit women include the PKK of Turkey, Shining Path of Peru and EPLF of Eritrea) that use women cadres in the frontlines of battles like males, but also in its elite suicide squadsâ€â€