UNDP SEESAC Works with Authorities in Pristina to Integrate Gender Aspects into SALW Control

Supported by the European Union, UNDP SEESAC organised the two-day training “Towards Gender Responsive SALW Control” for the authorities in Pristina on 12-13 October 2022. The training gathered the representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Commission with the aim to enhance their capacities in integrating the gender perspective into SALW control measures and policies.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Maria Suokko, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Kosovo*, underlined that integrating the gender perspective into small arms and light weapons control is not only working for women and men but also increases the overall effectiveness of the field-related policies. She expressed her expectation that the training will help the authorities to better understand the complexity of the challenges in the field and prepare the participants to tackle these challenges more effectively.

Ms. Jeta Tela-Shema, Chief of Cabinet and Senior Political Advisor at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, said that the training is a step forward in ensuring gender equality in legislation and small arms and light weapons control. She added that the training will raise the authorities’ capacities to prevent misuse of firearms, especially in the context of domestic violence and concluded that the ministry is committed to further integrate the gender perspective in operational small arms control activities.

The two-day training led by SEESAC’s Gender and Research Project Officer contributes to increased effectiveness of SALW control through incorporation and increased awareness of gender aspects, as well as through supporting authorities in fulfilling their commitments to advance gender equality.

The implementation of this training is an integral part of the SEESAC’s ongoing support for the implementation of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap as envisaged by the EU Council Decision 2018/1788 and directly supports the achievement of its overall target Fully integrating gender and age concerns in SALW control policies.

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

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