May 26, 2022.
This paper draws on personal insight and experience from a range of women members of IANSA working to prevent and end gun violence in The Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, South Africa, and Argentina. Through quotes and stories derived from Zoom interviews by Jenny Morgan during 2021, this paper aims to capture and collate knowledge and learning to help strengthen understanding of some of the ways in which gender dimensions affect women’s work and engagement in the areas of small arms and light weapons (SALW) control and gun violence prevention. In addition, some contributors note forms of violence against women that they have directly experienced because of their activism – including personal threats and online violence – that negatively impact them.
Through this paper and learning about their different experiences, we gain insight into the range of opinions and approaches that exist, and how these respond to the challenges of patriarchy and power. In this way, sharing multiple experiences helps people see their broad scope and complexity, while also understanding the approaches that different women from diverse backgrounds bring to their work.
Acknowledgements
This paper was written and edited by Sarah Masters from interviews conducted by Jenny Morgan. We particularly wish to thank IANSA members, Bianca Pabotoy (The Philippines); Rose Faida (DRC); Sana Ahmad (Pakistan); Adèle Kirsten, Mary-Ann Nobele and Monique Hansen (South Africa); and Maria Pía Devoto (Argentina) for their time being interviewed for this paper. Editing and comments were provided by Dr. Natalie Goldring. Amelie Namuroy, Seydi Gassama and Dr. Brian Wood.