3.7 Addressing the Gender Dimensions of FTF Dynamics and Challenges Recommendations OSCE participating States should design and implement FTF-related laws, policies and practices in a gender- and age-sensitive way. In addition to gender-specific aspects included in recommendations in previous sections, states should: • Ensure that responses to the threats and challenges posed by FTFs are not based on gender stereotypes, but based on evidence reflecting the varying roles of women and men, boys and girls and young adults; • Reflect specific needs, concerns and vulnerabilities of both men and women and regularly review and evaluate the application of FTF measures and address any differential gendered impact they may have; • Acknowledge and address the roles of women and men as both agents/perpetrators of FTF related acts and as victims/survivors with related rights, including the right to receive tailored support and treatment; • Ensure accountability for sexual and gender-based violence, and ensure that victims receive necessary protection, support, assistance and treatment; • Provide appropriate gender training for relevant professional groups, including judges, prosecutors, and border control, law enforcement, prison and probation services, as well as social services and others dealing with FTFs; and • Appropriately engage and empower women, including women’s groups and organizations, to address FTF-related challenges and dynamics without unduly instrumentalizing and securitizing their engagement. FTF policies increasingly reflect the fact that a significant number of women are engaged in FTF-related activity in a range of capacities.230 The ISIL recruitment strategy of targeting women and girls, with apparent success, has been well documented.231 As noted in section 2, state responses – in particular at an early stage – often reveal erroneous gendered assumptions about women as passive actors and victims, rather than as agents and potential perpetrators of terrorist acts. A contributing factor is extensive coverage of the complex problem of girls and women traveling as so-called “ISIL brides”, and the edicts of ISIL on forced marriage and sexual slavery in Iraq. Over time, a fuller picture 230  For example, in the European context, it has been estimated that 550 FTFs in Syria, and some 30 per cent of Dutch FTFs, were women. See: T. Mehra, “Foreign Terrorist Fighters: Trends, Dynamics and Policy Responses”, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, op. cit., note 95. See also: E. Bakker and S. de Leede, “European Female Jihadists in Syria: Exploring an Under-Researched Topic”, International Centre for CounterTerrorism, April 2015, <www.icct.nl/download/file/ICCT-Bakker-de-Leede-European-Female-Jihadists-InSyria-Exploring-An-Under-Researched-Topic-April2015(1).pdf>. Bakker and de Leede note: “According to The Soufan Group, the estimated number of women from EU member states joining the jihad is 18 percent of the total number of European foreign fighters….”, Ibid., p. 1. See also reference to increases and trends in this respect in “Risk Analysis 2017”, Frontex, op. cit., note 20. 231  See for example L. Tarras-Wahlberg, “Promises of Paradise? – A Study on Official ISIS-Propaganda Targeting Women”, Swedish Defence University, May 2016, <http://fhs.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:942997/ FULLTEXT01.pdf>. 64 Guidelines for Addressing the Threats and Challenges of “Foreign Terrorist Fighters”