Women caught up in extremism: Bishop

Young women are increasingly being caught up in the extremist group Islamic State and Australia isn't immune, parliament has heard.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop responded to reports that three British girls are believed to have travelled to Syria to fight alongside IS.

"Sadly we are seeing a younger cohort seeking to join the conflict in Syria and Iraq and an increasing number of young females," she told parliament on Wednesday.

Australia had not been immune, citing the case of 22-year-old woman Amira Karroum who left her Sydney home just before Christmas and died in fighting in Syria.

"Her death was not martyrdom, it was a tragic senseless loss," Ms Bishop said.

About 20 per cent of all foreign fighters in Iraq and Syria are believed to be women, and 30 to 40 Australian women are known to be either engaging in or supporting terrorist activity in Syria, Iraq or Australia.

"This defies logic. Family and friends need to reach out to young people at risk before it's too late," Ms Bishop said.