This issue brief developed by the Charity & Security Network examines the gendered impacts of counter-terrorism financing measures. The Brief offers an overview of existing research and available reports on the matter and provides examples of how de-risking and CFT regulations and policies, including Recommendation 8 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) impact non-profit organizations, particularly women’s organizations and women human rights defenders. The Brief points out that counter-terrorism financing (CFT) measures as applied by Governments overlook the operational contexts of women's organizations and disregard existing gender dynamics that marginalize women. This approach leads to uneven effects, negatively impacting women human rights defenders (WHRDs) and women's rights organizations, which are often smaller, less financially resilient, relying heavily on foreign funding, and operate in challenging contexts. Despite their vital role in combatting terrorism and violent extremism, including negotiating ceasefires and supporting survivors, these grassroots organizations face significant financial de-risking and exclusion, as well as other negative impacts of CFT measures. The brief also offers recommendations on the way forward.
2024