The discussion of the Security Council and briefing on the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin region should reflect the gender dimensions of the situation, which include, the use of girls as suicide bombers; high numbers of female-headed households; forced return of refugees, majority of whom are women, from Cameroon; and ongoing displacement affecting women and children. Further, women that return to communities after being abducted by armed groups are suffering from stigma and discrimination and need psychological support, and more broadly, there is a need to support long-term recovery program for economic reinsertion of women. Countries in the Lake Chad Basin region have both the right and obligation to take all lawful and necessary measures to protect their populations from abuse committed by Boko Haram, but they must do so while respecting the human rights of those they seek to protect. All parties must fully adhere to international humanitarian and human rights law, and Boko Haram must immediately end deliberate, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks against civilians. Security Council members should call for gender analysis in all reporting and briefings on the situation in the Lake Chad Basin region. All counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism efforts must promote women’s meaningful participation and leadership. Finally, the international community’s security responses and counter-terrorism efforts must be part of broader peace and stabilization strategies.