In recent months, Bangladesh has witnessed an upsurge of female participation in „jihadist‟ groups in diversified roles. Since the ISdirected Holey Artisan Bakery attack in July 2016, Bangladeshi militant groups have become more assertive and violent. At the same time, they have also developed a transnational outlook and linkages. The role of female Bangladeshi „jihadists‟ have evolved from passive to active and from peripheral to central as suicide bombers and combatants. This change marks a new and more dangerous phase of violent extremism in the country. The article will highlight the implications of women‟s participation in violent extremism for Bangladesh‟s internal security landscape and propose a gendersensitive approach to counter-terrorism related legislation, policing, and law enforcement.