The Human Security Initiative Organisation held an awareness raising lecture with a gender focus; poster campaigns and lobbied with the government to sign and ratify international protocols on small arms and light weapons.

The awareness raising programme was attended by 50 women and focused on the consequences of the proliferation and misuse of small arms, particularly on women’s lives. The discussion also centred around the impact of arms reaching civilian hands, impacting family life and also accelerating conflicts.

A letter urging the Sudanese government to sign international treaties and protocols governing small arms were handed over to President Marshall Omer Al basher with copies to SPLM President Dr. John Garang, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Justice and the heads of the Ministry Councils. The letter highlighting the devastating impact of small arms and its role in fuelling conflicts urged the government to sign and ratify:

• The UN Protocol to combat illicit proliferation and trafficking of small arms (2000)
• The Nairobi Protocol on the illicit spread and misuse of small arms

A poster encouraging disarmament was also distributed.

Week of Action events received media coverage in five national newspapers – Sudan Vision, Alwan, Khartoum Monitor, Akhbar Alyoum and Alhayaa.