SGBV

It is important to reiterate that sexual violence is always unacceptable. However, its widespread use as a terrorist tactic and a weapon of war and terrorism remains of particular concern because it is one of the most cruel and terrifying forms of social coercion, especially when used as a strategy to control and intimidate entire communities and undermine the dignity and autonomy of people at their deepest levels. Equally alarming are the growing restrictions on the rights of women and girls being promoted by extremist groups, the control and restriction of these rights having become a fundamental element of conflict and the pretext for terrorist acts being specifically directed against women and girls.