women – GENSAC Network

GENSAC’s Role in Advancing Gender Mainstreaming at Nigerian SALW Workshop

Africa, GENSAC Members / By GENSAC STAFF

By Josephine Alabi, GENSAC Youth Ambassador, Director of Keen and Care Initiative

On September 17, 2024, the Gender Equality Network for Small Arms Control (GENSAC) participated in a high-profile workshop titled “Gender Mainstreaming in Preventing the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria and West Africa.” The event, held at the National Counter Terrorism Center in Abuja, Nigeria, was organized by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW).

Representing GENSAC was Josephine Alabi, Executive Director of Keen and Care Initiative and GENSAC Youth Ambassador. Keen and Care Initiative, a longstanding GENSAC member and advocate against SALW proliferation, has been a key player in sensitization campaigns and awareness-raising efforts across Nigeria. In addition to its involvement in GENSAC, Keen and Care Initiative is a member of the International Action Network on Small Arms Control (IANSA).

During the first interactive session on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) with Major Gen. A.M. Atolagbe (Rtd.), Ms. Alabi emphasized several critical points related to the small arms and the WPS agenda on the following topics:

Data Collection: The need for accurate and comprehensive data is essential to tackle SALW proliferation.
Transnational weapons flows: Addressing the porosity of borders to curb the illegal flow of SALW is a priority in the region.
Synergy Building: To improve enforcement of arms control measures, there must be enhanced collaboration among uniformed personnel.
Youth Engagement: There is a concerning level of involvement with youth in illegal activities, including those which entail the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The security sector must be able to better engage with those at-risk.
Early Warning Signals: Related to the point above, security personnel need additional early warning and response systems and related training.

GENSAC was also pleased to play an active role during a series of discussion on gender perspectives on SALW policy and practice and on women’s participation and empowerment in SALW control. Ms. Alabi highlighted the impact of women’s participation and the urgent need to curb the illegal flow of SALW, which disproportionately affects women and children during armed conflicts. Alabi advocated for:

Increased Female Representation: More women need to be at the decision-making table in SALW engagements.
Community-Level Engagement: Efforts must prioritize local involvement, with a focus on the gendered impacts of arms proliferation.
Engaging Men and Boys: Alabi stressed the importance of addressing masculinity and the role of men and boys in preventing SALW misuse.

The workshop took a collaborative with syndicate group sessions, where participants, including GENSAC’s Youth Ambassador, worked to develop actionable recommendations. Ms. Alabi served as spokesperson for her working group, presenting their ideas that called for:

Stakeholder Collaboration: Mapping relevant actors and improving coordination between security agencies and community stakeholders.
Enhanced Data Collection: Strengthening systems for gathering and analyzing arms-related data.
Early Warning Systems: Improving mechanisms to detect and respond to potential threats early.

The workshop ended with reflections on the key outcomes and a vote of thanks from NCCSALW. By the conclusion of the workshop, participants had laid the groundwork for continued cooperation in addressing the challenges of SALW proliferation, with a strong focus on gender mainstreaming as a critical tool in peace and security efforts. Ms. Alabi and GENSAC look forward to continuing to engage on these important issues and turning the workshop’s recommendations into action.

GENSAC’s participation in this workshop underscored the importance of gender inclusion and collaboration in tackling small arms control, not only in Nigeria but across the West African region.

Traduction en français :

Le rôle du GENSAC dans la promotion de l’intégration de la dimension de genre dans l’atelier nigérian sur les ALPC

Écrit par Josephine Alabi, ambassadrice de la jeunesse du GENSAC, directrice de Keen and Care Initiative

Le 17 septembre 2024, le Réseau pour l’égalité des sexes pour le contrôle des armes légères (GENSAC) a participé à un atelier de haut niveau intitulé « Intégration de la dimension de genre dans la prévention de la prolifération des armes légères et de petit calibre au Nigéria et en Afrique de l’Ouest ». L’événement, qui s’est tenu au Centre national de lutte contre le terrorisme à Abuja, au Nigéria, a été organisé par le Centre national pour le contrôle des armes légères et de petit calibre (NCCSALW).

Le GENSAC était représenté par Josephine Alabi, directrice exécutive de Keen and Care Initiative et ambassadrice de la jeunesse du GENSAC. Keen and Care Initiative, membre de longue date du GENSAC et défenseur de la prolifération des ALPC, a été un acteur clé des campagnes de sensibilisation et des efforts de sensibilisation à travers le Nigéria. En plus de son implication dans le GENSAC, Keen and Care Initiative est membre du Réseau d’action international sur le contrôle des armes légères (IANSA).

Au cours de la première session interactive sur les femmes, la paix et la sécurité (WPS) avec le général de division A.M. Atolagbe (à la retraite), Mme Alabi a souligné plusieurs points critiques liés aux armes légères et au programme WPS sur les sujets suivants :

Collecte de données : La nécessité de données précises et complètes est essentielle pour lutter contre la prolifération des ALPC.
Flux d’armes transnationaux : S’attaquer à la porosité des frontières pour freiner le flux illégal d’ALPC est une priorité dans la région.
Création de synergies : Pour améliorer l’application des mesures de contrôle des armes, il faut renforcer la collaboration entre le personnel en uniforme.
Engagement des jeunes : Le niveau d’implication des jeunes dans des activités illégales, y compris celles qui impliquent l’utilisation d’engins explosifs improvisés (EEI), est préoccupant. Le secteur de la sécurité doit être en mesure de mieux s’engager auprès des personnes à risque.
Signaux d’alerte précoce : En lien avec le point ci-dessus, le personnel de sécurité a besoin de systèmes d’alerte et de réponse précoces supplémentaires et d’une formation connexe.

Le GENSAC a également eu le plaisir de jouer un rôle actif lors d’une série de discussions sur les perspectives de genre dans la politique et la pratique des ALPC et sur la participation et l’autonomisation des femmes dans le contrôle des ALPC. Mme Alabi a souligné l’impact de la participation des femmes et le besoin urgent de freiner le flux illégal d’ALPC, qui affecte de manière disproportionnée les femmes et les enfants pendant les conflits armés. Mme Alabi a plaidé pour :

Une représentation féminine accrue : davantage de femmes doivent être présentes à la table des décisions dans les engagements relatifs aux ALPC.
Un engagement au niveau communautaire : les efforts doivent donner la priorité à l’implication locale, en mettant l’accent sur les impacts sexistes de la prolifération des armes.
Un engagement des hommes et des garçons : Mme Alabi a souligné l’importance de s’attaquer à la masculinité et au rôle des hommes et des garçons dans la prévention de l’utilisation abusive des ALPC.

L’atelier a été organisé en collaboration avec des séances de groupe, où les participants, dont l’ambassadeur de la jeunesse du GENSAC, ont travaillé à l’élaboration de recommandations concrètes. Mme Alabi a fait office de porte-parole de son groupe de travail, présentant leurs idées qui appelaient à :

Collaboration des parties prenantes : cartographie des acteurs concernés et amélioration de la coordination entre les agences de sécurité et les parties prenantes de la communauté.
Amélioration de la collecte de données : renforcement des systèmes de collecte et d’analyse des données relatives aux armes.
Systèmes d’alerte précoce : amélioration des mécanismes de détection et de réponse précoce aux menaces potentielles.

L’atelier s’est terminé par des réflexions sur les principaux résultats et un vote de remerciements de la part du NCCSALW. À la fin de l’atelier, les participants avaient jeté les bases d’une coopération continue pour relever les défis de la prolifération des ALPC, en mettant l’accent sur l’intégration de la dimension de genre en tant qu’outil essentiel des efforts de paix et de sécurité. Mme Alabi et le GENSAC se réjouissent de continuer à s’engager sur ces questions importantes et de mettre en pratique les recommandations de l’atelier.

La participation du GENSAC à cet atelier a souligné l’importance de l’inclusion et de la collaboration entre les sexes dans la lutte contre le contrôle des armes légères, non seulement au Nigéria mais dans toute la région de l’Afrique de l’Ouest.

Traducción al español:

El papel de GENSAC en impulsar la perspectiva de género en el taller sobre armas pequeñas en Nigeria

Escrito por Josephine Alabi, embajadora de la juventud de GENSAC, directora de Keen and Care Initiative

El 17 de septiembre de 2024 la Red de Igualdad de Género para el Control de Armas Pequeñas (GENSAC por sus siglas en inglés) participó en un taller de alto perfil titulado “Incorporación de la perspectiva de género en la prevención de la proliferación de armas pequeñas y ligeras en Nigeria y África occidental”. El evento, celebrado en el Centro Nacional contra el Terrorismo en Abuja, Nigeria, fue organizado por el Centro Nacional para el Control de Armas Pequeñas y Ligeras (NCCSALW).

En representación de GENSAC estuvo Josephine Alabi, directora ejecutiva de Keen and Care Initiative y embajadora de la juventud de GENSAC. Keen and Care Initiative es miembro de GENSAC desde hace mucho tiempo; su trabajo en la lucha contra la proliferación de armas pequeñas y ligeras ha sido clave en las campañas de sensibilización y los esfuerzos de concienciación en toda Nigeria. Además de su participación en el GENSAC, la Iniciativa Keen and Care es miembro de la Red Internacional de Acción para el Control de Armas Pequeñas (IANSA).

Durante la primera sesión interactiva sobre Mujeres, Paz y Seguridad (WPS) con el Mayor General A.M. Atolagbe (Rtd.), la Sra. Alabi destacó varios puntos críticos relacionados con las armas pequeñas y la agenda WPS sobre los siguientes temas:

Recopilación de datos: La necesidad de datos precisos y completos es esencial para abordar la proliferación de armas pequeñas y ligeras.
Flujos transnacionales de armas: Abordar la porosidad de las fronteras para frenar el flujo ilegal de armas pequeñas y ligeras es una prioridad en la región.
Creación de sinergias: Para mejorar la aplicación de las medidas de control de armas, debe haber una mayor colaboración entre el personal uniformado.
Participación de los jóvenes: Existe un nivel preocupante de participación de los jóvenes en actividades ilegales, incluidas las que implican el uso de dispositivos explosivos improvisados (IED). El sector de la seguridad debe poder interactuar mejor con las personas en riesgo.
Señales de alerta temprana: En relación con el punto anterior, el personal de seguridad necesita sistemas adicionales de alerta temprana y respuesta y la capacitación relacionada.

GENSAC también se alegró de desempeñar un papel activo durante una serie de debates sobre las perspectivas de género en las políticas y prácticas sobre armas pequeñas y ligeras, y sobre la participación y el empoderamiento de las mujeres en el control de las armas pequeñas y ligeras. La Sra. Alabi destacó el impacto de la participación de las mujeres y la necesidad urgente de frenar el flujo ilegal de armas pequeñas y ligeras, que afecta desproporcionadamente a las mujeres y los niños durante los conflictos armados. Alabi abogó por:

Mayor representación femenina: es necesario que haya más mujeres en la toma de decisiones en relación al control de armas pequeñas y ligeras.
Participación a nivel comunitario: los esfuerzos deben priorizar la participación local, centrándose en los impactos de género de la proliferación de armas.
Participación de hombres y niños: Alabi destacó la importancia de abordar la masculinidad y el papel de los hombres y los niños en la prevención del uso indebido de armas pequeñas y ligeras.

El taller se desarrolló en colaboración con sesiones de grupos sindicales donde los participantes, incluido el Embajador de la Juventud del GENSAC, trabajaron para desarrollar recomendaciones viables. La Sra. Alabi actuó como portavoz de su grupo de trabajo y presentó sus ideas, que exigían:

Colaboración de las partes interesadas: Identificar a los actores pertinentes y mejorar la coordinación entre los organismos de seguridad y las partes interesadas de la comunidad.
Mejorar la recopilación de datos: Fortalecer los sistemas de recopilación y análisis de datos relacionados con las armas.
Sistemas de alerta temprana: Mejorar los mecanismos para detectar y responder a posibles amenazas de forma temprana.

El taller finalizó con reflexiones sobre los resultados clave y un voto de agradecimiento del NCCSALW. Al concluir el taller los participantes dejaron sentadas las bases para una cooperación continua para abordar los desafíos de la proliferación de armas pequeñas y ligeras, con un fuerte enfoque en la incorporación de la perspectiva de género como herramienta fundamental en los esfuerzos por la paz y la seguridad.

La Sra. Alabi y GENSAC esperan seguir participando en estas importantes cuestiones y convertir las recomendaciones del taller en acciones. La participación de GENSAC en este taller subrayó la importancia de la inclusión de género y la colaboración para abordar el control de las armas pequeñas, no solo en Nigeria sino en toda la región de África occidental.

Small arms control: It’s time for women to take the lead

Leave a Comment / GENSAC Secretariat / By GENSAC STAFF

By Liv Tørres, director of the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies

“We all have family members who were killed or injured by small arms.” Scanning a conference room in Berlin earlier this year filled with members of a new network of women organizing for small arms control, a Balkan woman solemnly counted the number of participants’ family members who had stared down the barrel of a gun or were killed. So, if you’re wondering what women have to do with small arms control, the answer is evident: everything.

Every year, more people in non-conflict zones are killed as a result of injuries from small arms than in wars or other conflicts. The majority of those killed are men, most often by other men. From each act of small arms violence, numerous others are physically hurt, threatened and/or traumatized. Many of the victims of this violence are women. Too often, they are threatened, violated, and attacked by men who wield small arms. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this situation has worsened, with firearms sales skyrocketing in many parts of the world. As a result of the health and resultant socioeconomic crisis faced around the world, domestic violence has increased at an alarming rate. And with instability and polarization on the rise, things will get worse. So yes, the mobilization of women is definitely relevant for small arms control.

2020 was expected to be a crucial year to accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, twenty-five years since its adoption. The Declaration explicitly links the arms trade to armed violence and outlines how women are both victims of armed violence and pivotal voices in arms control and disarmament efforts. But instead of accelerating progress on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, we now find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic, and amidst palpable concern that COVID-19 will push back fragile progress made towards gender equality and justice for women. So, we must fight harder.

A few key facts and figures: the Small Arms Survey estimates that there were over 1 billion small arms in circulation worldwide before the pandemic hit, produced by more than 1,000 companies from nearly 100 countries, with profits from the trade exceeding USD 8.5 billion. There are considerable linkages between legal and illegal markets with substantial numbers of legally acquired small arms entering illicit markets through diversion, corruption, seizure, and loss. The vast majority of global firearms, roughly 85 percent of the known total, belong to civilian owners, more than 850 million of them worldwide. Civilian ownership is also the fastest-growing market, as consumers buy more guns and as former military and law enforcement weapons gradually shift into civilian hands. In the US alone, 17 million more guns have been sold over the past months in parallel with increasing insecurity and tensions due to the pandemic, elections campaigns, and mobilization against racism.

Gender Responsive Small Arms Control in the Decade of Action for the SDGs

Considerable reduction in global violence, which all countries have committed to deliver by 2030, will only be possible with the effective control of small arms and its ammunition. And it will only be possible with the heavy involvement of women. Why? First — to state the obvious — on their own, men have not managed this challenge all too well up to this point. Second, mobilizing more people and more groups in arms control is necessary in order to insert more power into the movement. Third, we know that this agenda is highly gendered. With the safety of women at stake, it’s critical that women are empowered to contribute with their knowledge and resources in the endeavor to protect themselves.

Armed violence destroys hundreds of thousands of lives every year. For women, this manifests in murder, but also in intimate partner violence, gang- and drug-related violence, suicides, and politically motivated attacks. It results in enormous amounts of fear, worry, stigma, and family care and socioeconomic problems. Marielle Franco, a Rio de Janeiro city counselor fighting for the rights of the LGBTQI, Black, and other marginalized communities in Brazil, was killed in 2018, having experienced all of this first hand. Same with Berta Cáceres, the Honduran indigenous and environmental rights campaigner murdered in 2016. And Karina Garcia who was running for mayor in a municipality in Cauca Colombia who was killed in 2019. Women in Latin America are killed at record rates. As do countless women on other continents. And since the pandemic has taken hold, the situation is worsening.

Of the estimated 70,000 killings of women worldwide every year, roughly 40 percent involve firearms. Guns are even more commonly used to injure, intimidate, and coerce women. The Women´s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) also highlights how women and LGBTQI people face gun-related social and political inequalities, and pressures resulting from an increase in female-headed households, inequalities in access to survivor assistance, and higher risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Another reason why women should be heavily involved in arms control and disarmament is their knowledge of and information about what is happening at local community levels. Women are often best-placed in their communities to form networks of informants and gather critical information about tensions, alliances, key drivers, and triggers of conflict, and the ways to address them.

We know that peace agreements negotiated with women around the table are more durable and better implemented. And we know that peacebuilding and rebuilding after conflict are more sustainable where women are involved. Yet, women represented only six percent of mediators, six percent of signatories, and 13 percent of negotiators in peace processes between 1992 and 2019. Broad-scale prevention work is scarce and women’s voices seldom heard. Meanwhile, rape continues. Sexual harassment continues. Violence continues. The costs of war continue to pile up. And all of it is now crucial to address in the context of increased insecurity, polarization, “weaponization”, and escalating dangers of unrest and conflict following the pandemic, as outlined in the UN Secretary-General’s last report on Women, Peace and Security. Major reductions in global armed violence will not be achieved without having full and equal participation around the table and a better understanding of the gendered linkages between the various forms of violence and dynamics of violence, insecurity and fragility. The UNSG argues that this is, fundamentally, “a crisis prevention agenda.” It is time to address gender inequality, discrimination, and conflict risks more seriously. Women are survivors and agents of change. We need to alter the narrative about women in small arms control — changing their representation from victims of violence to survivors, and to include their perspectives as influencers and leaders, imbued with the power to call for peace.

With few women around the table in arms controls discussions and peace negotiations, we also lose out on talent. After all, if we want to assemble the best minds to tackle our problems, why recruit from only half the population? By the same token, we need to converge the agendas of small arms control and the broader Women, Peace and Security Agenda. It’s crucial that women help to build the knowledge and evidence base for programming and policymaking, using approaches such as those laid out by the Small Arms Survey’s handbook. Essential efforts must also be made to adjust norms and values, address social stigma, fear of retaliation, and cultural acceptance of domestic violence which often dissuades women from reporting violence to the police and/or engaging in violence reduction programs or arms control.

So, we need to organize. And we need to build networks: stronger networks. We need to exchange learning and experiences, building bonds of knowledge and support. The Gender Equality Network for Small Arms Control, hosted by The Pathfinders and sponsored by Germany,aims to make small arms control more gender-responsive and works to amplify international, regional, national, and local best practices among civil society organizations, women’s groups, conflict prevention, and development communities. The Pathfinders are aiming for further accelerated action in this area. And there are already several strong women involved in arms control and violence reduction, like Dr. Scilla Elworthy, Ghida Anani, Kasha Nabagesera and the SRSG on Violence Against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid.

Some say a woman’s weapon is her tongue. We say it is the networks, the solidarity among us, and the force of the fearless female combatants that have gone before us.