Although the report only briefly addresses terrorism and counterterrorism, its insights on the wider peace and conflict landscape - particularly those related to disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) - are highly relevant. It notes that in some contexts, both terrorism and counterterrorism measures have contributed to increased insecurity and instability, reduced resources for women and women’s rights organizations, and created more constrained environments for civil society groups and communities engaged in preventing terrorism, violent extremism, and radicalization.
The report highlights the diverse roles girls may assume within violent extremist and terrorist organizations, including participation in suicide operations, and underscores the complex forms of agency they may exercise. It also reiterates that women have long participated in and supported terrorist groups. The authors recommend that states, international organizations, and partners allocate sufficient resources to ensure meaningful gender integration in national policies and programmes addressing terrorism, including those focused on young people. They further call for strengthening institutional capacities by increasing the recruitment and retention of women in law enforcement, border security, policing, and prison services.