Monograph 104: Gender and Small Arms, Moving into the Mainstream, Emily Schroeder and Lauren Newhouse
This monograph presents an overview of how gender language is used
at meetings and in documents of various United Nations (UN) fora on the
topic of small arms and light weapons (SALW). The monograph begins with
an overview of relevant definitions and the emergence on the global
agenda of norms on SALW and gender mainstreaming at the United Nations.
The authors then scan statements from official meetings and documents
from the Security Council and the General Assembly from 2001–2003, as
well as the 2001 SALW Conference and the Biennial Meeting of States on
SALW in 2003. A list of ‘gender reference indicators’ is used to assess
the frequency and context of references, and to evaluate points of
convergence and divergence between international norms on gender and
SALW.
The authors conclude that UN debates on SALW do not yet address
gender in the SALW context in a way that encompasses the differing
social, economic and political effects of these weapons on men and
women. The final section of the monograph offers concluding observations
and some recommendations in anticipation of the 2006 Review Conference
on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Observations
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The evolution of norms on gender and SALW at the UN occurs in cycles, through a lengthy process of consensus-building.
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Gender mainstreaming is more than a theory; it has material implications for the implementation activities of the UN.
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Although non-governmental organizations and member states have
an inter-dependent relationship at the UN, they have varying
constraints in how they deal with these issues, resulting in differences
in approach.
Recommendations
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Experts on the gender perspectives relevant to small arms and
light weapons should engage in education and awareness-raising exercises
with representatives of member states well in advance of UN meetings on
SALW.
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The gap between those who have gender expertise and those who
make policy on SALW can be bridged through focused workshops, seminars
and dialogues that encourage a common understanding of this issue.
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If messages on gender and small arms from gender experts,
civil society, UN specialized agencies and interested member states are
co-ordinated and streamlined, they are more likely to make an impact.
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Analysis of the agenda-setting value of UN meetings and
documents should be complemented by the monitoring and evaluation of the
effect that gender mainstreaming has on the implementation of UN
activities on SALW.
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The 2006 Review Conference on Small Arms and Light Weapons
represents a golden opportunity for NGOs, UN agencies and gender experts
to insist on the inclusion of gender language on SALW in statements and
outcome documents. In this way they will better reflect the needs,
experiences and perspectives of both men and women.
