On March 17, 2025, the Presidents of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, with support from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, convened a high-level joint meeting on “Small arms and light weapons control for preventing violence and advancing sustainable development.”
The gathering underscored an urgent truth. Gender-responsive arms control is not a side issue: it’s central to achieving peace, security, and advancing development goals worldwide.
While men make up the majority of homicide victims globally (80 percent in 2022), women face heightened risks of intimate partner violence and femicide, often perpetrated with firearms. Natalie Briggs of the Gender Equality Network for Small Arms Control (GENSAC) spoke on the second panel of the day, addressing the role of arms control in advancing gender equality and Sustainable Development Goal 5. Here are five key takeaways from the event:
1. The Urgency of Gender-Responsive Disarmament
Addressing gender-based violence (GBV) requires integrating a gender lens into disarmament policies. Women and marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by armed violence, and policies that don’t consider these realities risk being ineffective in both prevention and response. Small arms and light weapons (SALW) are a key enabler of GBV, particularly in conflict zones, refugee camps, and areas with high rates of civil unrest. Effective arms control measures can prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands, thus reducing the potential for violence against women and vulnerable populations.
We’ve come a long way—but there’s more to do. Thirty years ago, arms control was largely gender-blind. Today, instruments like the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the UN Programme of Action on SALW (PoA) are recognizing the gendered impacts of violence. However, women remain underrepresented in decision-making and technical discussions—only 38% of First Committee delegates in 2024 were women, and only 20% of national small arms commission staff in Africa were women.1 Gender equality is not just a goal in itself, but a necessary foundation for sustainable peace. By promoting gender equality, we are simultaneously advancing disarmament and reducing armed violence, fostering more stable and secure societies.
2. Importance of Intersectional Approaches
Addressing the impacts of small arms requires understanding the compounding factors that heighten risks for certain groups—such as displaced persons, refugees, and those in conflict areas. Intersectional strategies that account for gender, displacement, and other vulnerabilities are critical in shaping responsive and effective disarmament initiatives.
3. Collaboration and Leadership Are Key
The discussions at this panel made it clear that collaboration between governments, civil society, and international organizations is essential. Civil society organizations play a crucial role in holding governments accountable and influencing global frameworks like the PoA and ATT. Yet they face major barriers accessing key discussions held in far-off capitals. Sustained civic space, funding, and direct inclusion of local voices—especially women’s organizations—are essential for meaningful change. The work ahead is significant, but with collective commitment, we can make tangible progress.
4. Rhetoric isn’t Enough—Real Investment is Required
The growing recognition of gender in disarmament must be matched with action. Member states must move beyond commitments on paper and provide concrete political and financial support for gender-responsive disarmament.
5. Continue This Conversation!
Small arms violence violence and gender-based violence are deeply connected—and only through sustained, inclusive, and gender-aware action can we build a safer, more peaceful world for all.
For additional resources:
- United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa, “Webinar: Women on the front lines of the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons,” March 13, 2025. ↩︎