This report synthesises a rapid review of the literature on women and violent extremism, looking at women’s roles in violent extremist groups and acts over the last 15 years, and at the relationship between violent extremism and violence against women and girls. Gender-based violence increases during conflict and extremists often victimise and target women and girls for violent acts, sexual violence, and rape. The report finds that gender perspectives are often ignored in counter-terrorism interventions, but women’s roles in preventing violent extremism is starting to be recognised. There is also a lack of understanding of whether trauma is a motivational factor for women’s involvement in violent extremism.