The Committees highlight the gender dimension of violence and state that sex- or gender-based attitudes and stereotypes, power imbalances, inequalities and discrimination perpetuate the widespread existence of practices that often involve violence or coercion. Furthermore, the Committees draw the attention of States parties to the fact that discrimination due to sex or gender is intertwined with other factors that affect women and girls, particularly those connected with, or appearing to be connected with, disadvantaged groups who are therefore more likely to be the victims of harmful practices.