Gender, Armed Violence, and SALW: Women’s Involvement in the UN Small Arms Process (2017)

Despite being disproportionately impacted by violence and conflict, women have been – and continue to be – underrepresented in nearly every area of the United Nations small arms process. This paper examines the direct and indirect impacts of gun violence on women and explains why it is crucial that women be equally included in all decision making, implementation, and evaluation in efforts against the proliferation and misuse of SALW. Additionally, it illustrates the evolving language and attitudes regarding women’s participation in the UN small arms process. This paper identifies existing limitations and makes recommendations for increasing the scope of women’s inclusion and participation in global action against gun violence.