[JUST LAUNCHED] Guidelines for Gender Analysis of Legislation and Policies Relevant for Small Arms Control

In 2021, a large-scale gender analysis of small arms control legislation and policies was undertaken in the Western Balkans. In cooperation with SALW commissions, UNDP SEESAC screened 101 laws, 113 bylaws and 39 strategies and action plans in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo* to assess and enhance their gender responsiveness.  In Serbia, a similar analysis was conducted by UNDP.

The body of knowledge generated through the analysis provided a better understanding of specific challenges related to mainstreaming gender in small arms control and contributed to the valuable hands-on experience in conducting the gender analysis of legislative and policy frameworks in the small arms context.

By building on this experience, UNDP SEESAC developed “Guidelines for Gender Analysis of Legislation and Policies Relevant for Small Arms Control.” The Guidelines aim to consolidate the main methodological lessons learned in carrying out such gender analysis and facilitate future gender analysis of legislation and policies relevant for small arms control. In doing so, the Guidelines seek to contribute to increased gender responsiveness of legislation and policies pertaining to arms control through the extensive and systematic use of gender analysis and improved knowledge of their impact on women, men, girls, and boys.

The Guidelines provide step-by-step guidance for conducting the gender analysis, including setting the goal and defining the scope of such analysis - both in terms of identifying key gendered concerns for the analysis and legal and policy acts to be analyzed. In addition, the Guidelines contain a comprehensive list of questions for carrying out the gender analysis and provide guidance for formulating conclusions and recommendations.

To mark the launch of this publication, SEESAC organized an interactive online event on Tuesday, 29 March. The event brought together more than 60 representatives of UN agencies and other international or regional organizations and civil society.

The Guidelines were produced with the financial assistance of the European Union, through EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/1788 in support of SEESAC for the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans.

The Guidelines are available at the following link.

* References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).

Back