Statement of the IANSA Women’s Network to the Fourth BMS on Small Arms, New York, 14-18 June, 2010

As participants of the Fourth BMS on small arms, members of the Women’s Network of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), the only international network focused on the connections between gender, women’s rights, small arms and armed violence, welcome the interest of those States who have highlighted the importance of gender perspectives in the small arms process.

An enhanced understanding of gender-specific perceptions of peace and human security are crucial to ensure the full and effective implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons In All Its Aspects (PoA). Women and men have an equal right to participate and to be considered in these processes. Gender roles must be encompassed in terms of the diverse impacts of SALW on men, women, boys and girls, and the different points of engagement for positive action.

The IANSA's Women's Network urges States to take a systematic gender-inclusive approach in the implementation of the PoA.

In view of the Fourth BMS, the 15th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, and the 10th anniversary of UN Security Council resolution 1325 (October 2010), the Regional Disarmament Branch of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and IANSA have jointly updated the 'Guidelines for Mainstreaming Gender for the Effective Implementation of the UN PoA'. The revised guidelines take into account new developments, progress made and lessons learnt in the implementation of the PoA, as well as in the area of gender mainstreaming in peace and security. They also include a wide array of field-based case studies, experience and knowledge.

These guidelines will contribute further to the understanding of the significance of the different roles played by men, women, boys and girls both as part of the SALW proliferation problem and in finding solutions to it, and therefore, of the importance of mainstreaming gender perspectives for the effective implementation of the PoA.

The guidelines will help practitioners identify concrete ways of mainstreaming gender perspectives in all relevant initiatives and operations, and assist at all stages, from information gathering and planning to implementation, monitoring and evaluation, in the process of effectively implementing the PoA.

Gender entry points for the effective implementation of the PoA:

Key areas:

• Mandates for mainstreaming gender into the UN PoA;
• Illicit trade in SALW and the linkages between different forms of trafficking, including narcotics, people and sexual exploitation;
• Gender mainstreaming objectives, relevance and recommendations for DDR;
• Gender objectives for inclusive national and regional focal points and national commissions on SALW;
• Recommendations for identifying specific needs and determining appropriate responses;
• Recommendations for gender-inclusive engagement with civil society and public awareness initiatives.

In each key area, the following must be addressed:

• How are gender-oriented actions related to the PoA?
• What can States gain by integrating gender mainstreaming in the PoA?
• How are gender perspectives integrated into the PoA?