EU Statement – UN Security Council Arria-formula Meeting: A Gender-responsive approach to Counter-Terrorism

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Madam Chair,

Let me begin by thanking you and the co-sponsors for convening this meeting and to the briefers for their insightful presentations.

The EU has recognised that the global effort to prevent and counter terrorism and violent extremism should entail a strong gender-responsive dimension. We should address the impact of gender stereotypes and gender-based violence on terrorism and violent extremism, while ensuring women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in the prevention and counter-terrorism efforts.

The EU is happy to contribute to a discussion focused on enhancing the capacities of Member States to ensure a gender-responsive approach to counter-terrorism.

Madam Chair,

Efforts over the last two decades, since the passing of Resolution 1325 and its introduction of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, have improved WPS policy approaches and gender-mainstreaming across preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) platforms. But more research and better implementation is needed.

Here are a couple of reflections from our side how to get there:  

First, we need to ensure that the UN system design a holistic, cross-sectoral approach to address the relationship between gender, peace, security, human rights, and counter-terrorism.

Through our EU Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2019-2024, the EU supports actions of societies and governments to engage, empower, protect, and support women and girls from diverse backgrounds. We are therefore happy to work together at the UN to ensure such a holistic approach.

Secondly, we need to assess the gendered impacts of counter-terrorism measures or else they can hit hard those most vulnerable.

Operational actions to counter-terrorism must be adequately considered in order to mitigate negative effects starting from the design phase, with rigorous monitoring and evaluation allowing for necessary adjustments throughout implementation. The same is true for criminal justice responses.

The European Union has tasked Women in International Security, an independent, non-profit organisation, to develop guidelines for use by counter-terrorism practitioners. The guidelines promote understanding and a strategic approach to the role of women in criminal justice responses to terrorism.

Third, we need to foster capacity building, including on general awareness and gender-responsive policies for security and counter-terrorism stakeholders. But also capacity building targeting women in specific counter-terrorism techniques.

The EU funds a number of projects on gender-responsive local early warning systems and inclusive peace processes. As an example, the EU is supporting UN WOMEN in the Central African Republic and Mozambique to enhance women’s inclusion and integration among military actors, and ensure that armed forces are better prepared to integrate a gender perspective in the planning and conduct of operations and activities.

Finally, the EU, partnering with Egypt, has set gender equality as a priority during our co-chairing of the Global Counterterrorism Forum. The EU has also prioritised a gender-responsive approach to preventing and countering terrorism in our work at the UN, including in the recent review of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

I thank you.