Gender and armed non-State actors Women, men, girls and boys
often experience armed conflict in different ways. Each group
participates in a variety of roles as victims, perpetrators and
actors. Within and across roles, gender can create specific
needs, capacities and vulnerabilities. It is now generally
accepted that women play a significant role in non-international
armed conflicts across the world and perform a variety of both
support and combat roles. Although some academic and field
research documented women and girls’ experiences within armed
non-State actors (NSAs) in certain contexts, especially in
Africa and Latin America, more needs to be explored about their
distinct experiences, the influence they have within NSAs and
the specific needs and vulnerabilities they face. While women
can play active roles in armed conflicts, they are also at risk
of violence. Women and girls, both civilians and those
associated with NSAs, are particularly exposed to the effects of
armed conflict, in particular to viole