This programmatic note outlines UN Women’s theory of change and strategic approach to supporting counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism within the framework of Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Drawing on UN Security Council resolutions, including UNSCR 1325 and 2242, it positions WPS as a human rights framework for addressing terrorism, violent extremism, and counter-terrorism responses.
The note identifies key risks to women’s rights in CT and PCVE contexts, including the instrumentalization of women, gender-blind security frameworks, and discriminatory laws and practices. It details UN Women’s strategies for addressing these risks through gender mainstreaming, institutional capacity-building, civil society engagement, and support for gender-responsive security and justice institutions.
The document concludes by emphasising that advancing women’s rights, participation, and agency is both a human rights obligation and a prerequisite for effective and sustainable prevention of violent extremism.