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Counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism
Terrorism and counter-terrorism affect women and girls in distinct and disproportionate ways. Terrorist groups deliberately target women’s rights and participation in public life, and broad counter-terrorism laws often restrict them further. This makes it imperative to embed gender-sensitive approaches at the heart of counter-terrorism and prevention efforts—not as an option, but as both a moral and security necessity.
The Global Terrorism Index 2025 identifies terrorism as a persistent threat. Similarly, UN Security Council resolution 2242 (2015) and the 8th review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy outline the targeting of women by terrorist groups and the differential impact of terrorism and counter-terrorism on women and girls. Ensuring human rights due diligence, inclusive programming, and the meaningful participation of women and civil society is critical to addressing terrorism without reinforcing discriminatory or securitized practices.
Our solutions
UN Women partners globally, regionally, and nationally to ensure that gender equality and women’s rights are placed at the core of preventing and responding to violent extremism and terrorism. In doing so, we assist in translating principles into practice by supporting policies, programmes, and partnerships that deliver tangible impact.
Grounded in the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, we work to strengthen representative security institutions and increase accountability—particularly within counter-terrorism and prevention of violent extremism mandates. This includes active engagement with UN counter-terrorism mechanisms and advancing WPS commitments related to women’s participation and inclusion, as well as gender-responsive prevention, protection, and resilience efforts.
- Amplifying women’s voices and leadership in peace, security, and counter-terrorism processes.
- Promoting holistic programming, including justice and accountability for violations of international law such as sexual and gender-based violence.
- Developing gender and context analysis to advance inclusive, rights-based approaches that prioritize protection, reintegration, and access to essential services.
- Building resilient communities through partnerships with national actors, civil society, and affected individuals.
- Challenging discriminatory and securitized practices that risk undermining human rights.
Knowledge and evidence
UN Women produces analysis, knowledge, and research to shape human-rights- and rule-of-law-compliant responses. Work includes:
- Engagement framework on accelerating the implementation of WPS commitments in contexts affected by violent extremism and terrorism.
- UN Women’s engagement in prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration, ensuring a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach.
- Nairobi Symposium: Inter-Regional Symposium on Women’s Situation in counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism (7–9 October 2024).
- Global digital consultation: Voices and perspectives of civil society on the gendered dimensions of violent extremism and counter-terrorism responses.
- Programmatic note and Policy Framework: UN Women’s work in countering terrorism and preventing violent extremism support within the framework of the WPS agenda.
