The intimate connection: gender and small arms and light weapons

SEESAC’s research on gender and small arms and light weapons utilized in new ISACS module

On 5 October 2017, the United Nations’ internal mechanism for Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA) adopted the ISACS module (ISACS 06.10) “Women, men and the gendered nature of small arms and light weapons”, which utilizes SEESAC’s research into gender and small arms and light weapons (SALW).

Gender and SALW are connected. SEESAC’s research has shown that men own over 95 per cent of firearms in the region of South East Europe, and commit 97 percent of firearm-related incidents. Women, on the other hand, are significantly more likely to be victims than perpetrators of firearms-related incidents. The mere presence of guns in the home increases the chance of a woman being killed in a domestic violence incident by five to 12 times.

ISACS has recognized the disparity in the impact of SALW according to gender by establishing a new module that is specifically designed to address this issue. The module, entitled “Women, men and the gendered nature of small arms and light weapons” details measures that ensure SALW policies are responsive to gender, such as collecting sex-disaggregated data and supporting women’s participation in policymaking. By realizing this module, ISACS has underlined that the integration of the gender perspective is an essential part of effective SALW control and is equally as important as legislative and policy frameworks on the production and international transfer of SALW and marking, tracing and record-keeping.

The new ISACS module features SEESAC’s work. Gender and SALW has been at the core of SEESAC’s intervention in South-East Europe since 2002. To emphasize the different impacts that illicit SALW have on women, men, girls and boys, and to promote meaningful participation of women in related policymaking, SEESAC launched the Gender and SALW in South East Europe study and the accompanying practical tool for integrating the gender perspective into the SALW legislative and policy framework. Currently, SEESAC is offering technical expertise to national counterparts across South East Europe that places sex-disaggregated data collection and gender analysis as the baseline for informed SALW-related policy making, planning and implementation, making the region a frontrunner on gender and SALW.

 

What ISACS are and why they matter

ISACS provide practical guidance on ways to put in place effective national controls over the full life cycle of SALW. To diminish the risk of weapons falling into the hands of criminals, terrorists or others who would misuse them, SEESAC advocates for the implementation of ISACS in national and regional contexts in South East Europe.

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