16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November – 10 December 2024)

The theme of this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is “Disarm to Empower: Stop the Silence, End Gender-Based Violence!” It focuses on the dangerous intersection of gender-based violence (GBV) and gun violence. It calls for urgent action to address the deadly combination of firearms and abuse, whether in the home, conflict zones, or intimate partner violence. GBV involves any act of violence targeting an individual on the basis of their gender. GBV encompasses violence against people based on their perceived or real sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and sexual characteristics.

By amplifying the outcomes of the Fourth Review Conference on the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RevCon4), the campaign advocates for stronger SALW control, disarmament, and policies that prioritize the safety and empowerment of all genders. Central to this theme is the full equal and effective participation of women in policy and decision-making, ensuring their voices shape disarmament efforts. Ending gun violence through stronger international arms control is key to ending GBV and advancing gender equality.

IANSA will be focusing on five key advocacy issues during the campaign.
We urge states to:

• Develop or strengthen existing gender-responsive arms control to account for the differential impacts of the SALW trade and misuse on men, women, girls, boys and gender-diverse persons;
• Take targeted measures to ensure the full, meaningful, equal and effective participation of traditionally excluded or marginalised groups (including women, youth, survivors of armed violence and gender-diverse people) in policymaking and programming for effective arms control and disarmament.
• Establish clear national and regional targets for SALW control, in alignment with the UN Programme of Action and its gender-responsive commitments.
• Align their disarmament efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda to promote peace, security, and gender equality.
• Strictly regulate civilian ownership of SALW and their ammunition, ensuring robust legal frameworks to prevent gun violence and protect vulnerable populations.