In collaboration with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) and Reaching Critical Will (RCW), GENSAC is proud to present Advancing Gender and Inclusivity in Small Arms Control: Key Takeaways from RevCon4. This report highlights essential strategies for fostering gender equity in small arms control, with a focus on empowering women’s leadership, engaging men and boys, and adopting intersectional approaches to policy design.
By emphasizing disaggregated data collection and actionable steps, the report provides a roadmap for reducing gender-based armed violence and advancing sustainable peacebuilding. It builds on the insights of RevCon4 to advocate for inclusive, evidence-based solutions that address systemic challenges and amplify diverse voices in disarmament efforts.
Statement by the Gender Equality Network for Small Arms Control (GENSAC) at the Fourth United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and the International Tracing Instrument (RevCon)
As representatives of the Gender Equality Network for Small Arms Control (GENSAC), a diverse network of women peacebuilders, security officials, grassroots civil society and women’s rights groups, and disarmament experts, we stand before this esteemed assembly to bring your attention to the gendered impact of small arms proliferation and misuse, and how gender analysis and gender mainstreaming will improve implementation of the PoA.
We are deeply concerned about the devastating role that small arms play in perpetuating violence against women and girls. The illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons is a critical global issue that intensifies violence against women and girls in both conflict and non-conflict settings. While this issue is pervasive globally, recent escalations of violence in various regions have particularly worsened the plight of women and girls.
Although men are the primary victims of firearms violence, women make up the majority of victims of intimate partner violence. Furthermore, the impacts go beyond physical harm, leading to severe economic and social consequences. These consequences deepen gender inequalities and perpetuate cycles of violence, significantly hindering efforts toward sustainable peace and development. While women are too often excluded from the creation and implementation of SALW processes, policies and programs, we are pleased to see recent instruments, such as The Global Framework for Through-life Conventional Ammunition Management, recognizing the importance of guaranteeing the full, equal, meaningful, and effective participation of women in decision-making and implementation processes.
For the reasons above, we reinstate our belief that incorporating gender perspectives into SALW control will yield better results for all people.
Recommendations
In light of these realities, GENSAC urgently calls for bold and decisive action to address the intersecting issues of small arms proliferation and misuse, and gender inequality. As such, we urge member states to prioritize the following action points:
1. Ensure equal opportunities for women’s participation in disarmament, political decision-making, policy formulation, and lawmaking by increasing women’s meaningful involvement in security processes.
2. Take swift action to accelerate implementation of SDGs 5.2 (gender equality), 16.1 (peaceful and inclusive societies), and 16.4 (reduce illicit arms flows), and prioritize gender-responsive approaches in achieving these goals, particularly in regard to measures to address small arms proliferation.
3. Implement socio-economic empowerment programs for women and marginalized groups to address the underlying drivers of violence and reduce vulnerability to violence and exploitation through targeted interventions.
4. Provide local and national civil society organizations (CSOs), including women’s organizations, with sufficient civic space, information, and financial resources to effectively engage in public oversight and advocacy on small arms control issues. Foster an enabling environment for CSO participation and collaboration.
5. Improve data collection mechanisms to gather gender-disaggregated data on the impact of small arms proliferation and misuse on women and girls as to inform evidence-based policymaking and programmatic interventions.
6. Ensure that all early warning systems are designed with strong gender-sensitive frameworks, taking into account women’s lived experiences, and leverage technology to enhance their efficacy. Provide regular training for law enforcement, military, and community leaders on the use of early warning systems.
7. Establish mechanisms for survivors to seek justice and redress, and uphold women’s rights in small arms control legislation. Provide access to healthcare, psychosocial support, legal aid, and economic assistance to survivors.
8. Engage men and boys as allies in efforts to prevent and address violence against women. Promote transformative approaches that challenge harmful norms related to masculinity and firearms.
The illicit proliferation of small arms not only perpetuates violence, but systematically erodes the fabric of our communities, obstructing peace, and diluting global efforts to cultivate a safer, just and inclusive world.
In this critical moment, we urge member-states to act with urgency and resolve. Only through such decisive actions can we hope to build societies that offer true security and equality for all their members. This call to action transcends mere political advocacy; it is a moral mandate to uphold the dignity and rights of every individual, especially the most vulnerable among us.
On Thursday, 20 June, during the first week of the UNPoA’s Fourth Review Conference, a pivotal side event titled “Connecting the Dots: Advancing the Implementation of the UNPoA and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda by Enhancing Parliamentary Capacity, Action and Civil Society Engagement in East Africa, Latin America and Asia’’ took place in New York. Co-moderated by Karin Olofsson, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PFSALW) and Daniel Friedman, Gender Equality Network for Small Arms Control (GENSAC) Secretariat, and co-hosted by PFSALW, GENSAC, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, the event gathered an esteemed panel of experts and a diverse audience to discuss the intersection of arms control and gender issues.
The event began with an opening from Karin Olofsson, who emphasised the importance of parliamentary action and political will in preventing violence related to small arms and light weapons (SALW) and advancing the UNPoA. She noted that the side event was the culmination of a series of seminars aimed at engaging parliamentarians to identify recommendations for the Fourth United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action (RevCon4) as part of a project funded by the United Nations Office on Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the Trust Facility Supporting Cooperation on Arms Regulation Fund (UNSCAR). The discussions were set to present conclusions from regional seminars held in Southeast Asia and East Africa, with additional insights from Latin America and civil society perspectives.
Ambassador Paula Narváez, Permanent Representative of Chile to the United Nations, underscored Chile’s commitment to a Feminist Foreign Policy, ensuring the inclusion of a gender perspective in arms control discussions. She highlighted the adverse effects of firearms on women and the necessity of integrating gender considerations into all arms control measures. Narváez pointed out that comprehensive efforts to prevent gender-based violence are crucial for achieving long-term peace and security.
Hon. Dr. Raphael Chegeni, Member of Parliament, Tanzania, and President of PFSALW, elaborated on the legislative, oversight, and awareness-raising roles of parliamentarians in regulating small arms acquisition and transfer. Chegeni detailed recent key actions recommended in the Parliamentary Action Plans adopted in East Africa and Asia, including the need for robust national and regional implementation mechanisms under the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, cooperation between neighboring countries, and voluntary arms surrender programs to mitigate SALW-related violence. Furthermore, the importance of increasing awareness of transnational crime and ensuring sufficient budgetary resources for these initiatives was stressed.
Hon. Margarita Stolbizer, Member of Parliament from Argentina, provided a compelling account of the impact of firearms on vulnerable groups, particularly LGBTQ+ communities and women. She shared alarming statistics from Argentina, where femicides involving firearms predominantly affected women who knew their assailants. Stolbizer advocated for stringent regulations to reduce armed violence and highlighted the critical role of civil society in promoting national cooperation for peace and security.
Participating virtually, Ms. Isabel Sarasin, Deputy Head of Division, Conventional Arms Control & CSBM, German Federal Foreign Office, emphasised the need for incorporating a gender perspective in small arms control efforts. She noted that women are disproportionately affected by domestic violence involving firearms and stressed the importance of integrating gender considerations into the WPS agenda. Sarasin called for reflective strategies to enhance the effectiveness of arms control within this framework and reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting these efforts as part of its Feminist Foreign Policy.
Ms. Maria Pia Devoto, Director of Asociación para Políticas Públicas (APP) and GENSAC Member, linked the UNPoA to the gendered impacts of arms and the crucial role of parliamentary action. She highlighted the necessity of modernising laws to address new challenges and shared success stories from Latin America, where parliamentarians have effectively utilised their diplomatic and legislative powers to prevent gender-based violence. Devoto underscored the importance of mainstreaming gender considerations in governance and promoting civil society participation. She cited the annual Arms and Gender convening in South America, supported by GENSAC and Small Arms Survey, as an example of how efforts to connect civil society and parliamentarians can propel positive collaboration and make strides towards more gender-responsive legislation to reduce violence.
The interactive discussion after the panel featured a closing remark from Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. Nakamitsu highlighted the severe human cost of SALW, citing the UN Secretary-General’s remark that “there is nothing small and light about the impact of small arms and light weapons.” She emphasised the rising death rates among women due to armed violence and stressed the need for strong regulatory frameworks. Nakamitsu advocated for the full inclusion of women and youth in disarmament negotiations, noting that their perspectives are essential for crafting effective solutions. She also pointed out the importance of intergenerational exchanges to find innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Ambassador Narváez further emphasised the urgent need to address violence affecting young people, either as victims or perpetrators. She called for a rethinking of violence prevention programs with a focus on youth inclusion, highlighting the necessity of using platforms to amplify young voices and encourage member states to involve youth delegates in discussions.
Hon. Raphael Chegeni provided a contrasting perspective from Africa, where young people often face joblessness and may resort to using arms. He called for collaborative efforts among politicians, communities, and societies to address these issues and find sustainable solutions.
Ms. Devoto emphasised the need to prepare young professionals for leadership roles and called for donor support to sustain youth engagement programs. She stressed that involving youth is not just a challenge but also a critical investment in the future.
During the Q&A session, Hon. Stolbizer responded to a question about youth inclusion by highlighting the need for tangible examples of legislative successes that have positively impacted civil society. Ambassador Narváez added that in Chile, effective law implementation is impossible without civil society’s involvement, which ensures accountability and political will.
Daniel Friedman wrapped up the event by encouraging everyone’s continued commitment to ensuring gender responsive small arms control and maintaining collaboration across sectors like those we saw on display during this discussion. Hon. Chegeni encouraged attendees to participate in the PFSALW’s social media campaign, “Words Over Bullets,” aimed at raising global awareness about the importance of preventing the illicit proliferation of SALW.
In light of the difficult negotiations surrounding references to gender and diversity in the UNPoA outcome document, this event helped call attention to the need for better linking the WPS agenda and UNPoA, underscoring the importance of maintaining open spaces for collaboration between parliamentarians and civil society to ensure legislation can accelerate action on these commitments. Specific emphasis on the impact of firearms on vulnerable groups, particularly LGBTQ+ communities and women, was also an important contribution. Ultimately, the event underscored the importance of comprehensive efforts involving parliamentary action, gender perspectives, youth inclusion, and civil society participation in addressing the challenges related to SALW. It set the stage for continued collaborative efforts to create a more peaceful and sustainable world and showcase the ways in which regional lessons learned can benefit the international community.
