The report covers the period from December 2010 to November 2011 and includes: information on parties to conflict credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for acts of rape or other forms of sexual violence; highlights major outcomes of missions and political engagements undertaken by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; and describes key initiatives taken by the UN to address conflict-related sexual violence. This report is timely for IANSA women as we work towards an Arms Trade Treaty and prepare for the forthcoming Preparatory Committee from 13-17 February 2012. We will continue to call for measures to prevent gender based violence and sexual violence against women to be part of the ATT.

These briefing papers provide a summary of key points from the IANSA Women's Network report, 'Why Women? Effective engagement for small arms control' published in October 2011.

Nos alegra compartir con ustedes dos recursos nuevos: un breve documento introductorio sobre "¿Por qué es importante la participación de las mujeres en el desarme y el control de armas pequeñas?" y un documento sobre "Desafíos y áreas de acción." Estos documentos resumen los principales elementos del reporte de la Red de Mujeres de IANSA, "¿Por qué las mujeres? Una participación efectiva para el control de las armas ligeras," publicado en octubre de 2011 e escrito por Corey Barr con Sarah Masters. Dados las preguntas y desafíos constantes a la participación de mujeres en las áreas de paz y seguridad, estos documentos muestran por que es importante incluir las mujeres en las iniciativas de desarme y control de armas pequeñas, consolidando información y opiniones de expertos sobre el género y los problemas de seguridad.

This self-assessment guide by The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is designed for use by police services, armed forces and justice sector institutions, and those working with them, but can be adapted for use by or with other institutions. This can be particularly useful to IANSA Women working with the security sector in their countries. The guide leads the institution through an eight-stage process to conduct an assessment, create an action plan, and monitor and evaluate the plan’s implementation.

This edition includes: The proliferation of small arms in Mali since the crisis in Libya • The activism of IANSA Women at the Kenya-Somalia border • Non-State Torture in Canada • Small arms in El Salvador • The Disarm Domestic Violence campaign in Paraguay • Gender and SALW Training Institutes in Peru and Uganda • UNSCR 1325 in the US and the Netherlands • Announcements, events & resources.

Proliferación de armas ligeras en Malí • Mujeres de IANSA activas en la frontera Kenia-Somalia • Tortura non estatal en Canadá • Violencia armada en el Salvador • Paraguay: Desarmando la violencia doméstica • Formaciones sobre género y armas ligéras en Perú y Uganda • Resolución 1325 en los EEUU y en Holanda • Anuncios • Eventos y recursos

Given the ongoing questions and challenges to women’s participation in peace and security, this publication aims to show why it is important to include women in small arms control and disarmament initiatives by consolidating information and opinions from experts on gender and security issues. It is based on interviews with 17 practitioners from around the world as well as a review of relevant materials and documents. It first presents a number of reasons for and examples why women’s participation is important in the field of small arms control and disarmament. It then highlights some of the challenges to women’s participation and provides some suggestions for overcoming them.

This report presents the main findings of an assessment conducted in Lebanon, Jordan and Occupied Palestinian Territory from January to May 2011 by providing a situation overview, challenges and recommendations for future interventions. The proliferation of small arms has prevented women from exercising some of their most basic rights. Impacts include armed domestic violence and “crimes committed in the name of honour”, as well as long term social, economic and psychological effects of revenge killings between male family members, tribal vendettas and celebratory shootings resulting in death and serious injury.