Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence

The Week of Action highlights the international campaign to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. This year the Week of Action took place from the 11-17 June 2012. 

We would like to congratulate everyone involved in another successful Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence. Events were organised all over the world with incredible levels of participation, impact and media coverage, illustrating again the diversity and strength of the global movement. Thank you all for sharing inspirational information, photos and media coverage from your events.  Reports are still coming in and we are working very hard to get them all up on our website. 

Participation during the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence (WoA) 2010 grew to 267 IANSA members in 102 countries confirming that the Week of Action is now synonymous with CSO solidarity on the issue.

2011 saw a wide variety of successful activities in over 80 countries, including many focusing on the UN Programme of Action on small arms, the Arms Trade Treaty and the Disarm Domestic Violence campaign. From murals in Latin America to lawyers' gatherings in Central Asia to football matches in Africa, the diversity of the movement was clearly visible with one unifying message - ‘make us safer from gun violence’.

 

Latest

Week of Action 2011 - Report from MAMAN, Sudan

The Human Security Initiative Organization (MAMAN) in Sudan, organised several events during the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence 2011, including a discussion forum on small arms and a moving theatre in the state of Khartoum.

Dominican Republic: IANSA member interviews victims of armed domestic violence

The Caribbean Institute for the Rule of Law (ICED), an IANSA member in the Dominican Republic, has released the results of a survey on the impact of firearms in domestic violence against women.

Military, religious groups meet with IANSA members in Central African Republic

From 22-28 June, IANSA member Mur-Africa Universel held a series of successful events in the Central African Republic, including meetings with military officers, the Muslim community, a Catholic and a Baptist Church.

Colombia: Local urban artist create mural for the Week of Action

The Conflict Analysis Resource Center (CERAC) in Colombia allied with local urban artist DjLu in the creation of a mural in Bogotá for the Global Week Of Action Against Gun Violence. The goal was to reach as many people as possible with the message: "In the game of war, nobody wins".

Albania: ALB-AID brief media on gun violence

On 20 June, to mark the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, the Albanian Assistance for Integration and Development (ALB-AID) held a press conference in Tirana, Albania.

Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence 2011: Daily Updates

We are delighted to congratulate everyone involved in another successful Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence.

Nigeria: IPPNW raise awareness about gun violence and the ATT

In Nigeria the International Physicians to Prevent Nuclear War (IPPNW) celebrated the Global Week of Action with adverts on Radio Silverbird Rythm.

Equatorial Guinea: IANSA members liaise with community groups

In Equatorial Guinea, Amigos de la Naturaleza y del Desarrollo de Guinea Ecuatorial (ANDEGE) travelled to 18 destinations around the country to meet with local groups and talk about the Week of Action and ANDEGE's work as members of IANSA and the Central Africa Action Network on Small Arms (RASALAC).

Nepal: Women leaders commit to combating gun violence against women and girls

As part of the Week of Action, Women for Peace and Democracy Nepal (WPD-Nepal), RUWON Nepal and Raksha Nepal jointly organised an interactive discussion in Kathmandu with women leaders on the impact of small arms on women and girls.

Argentina: Join and Disarm!

In Argentina, Asociación para Políticas Públicas (APP) opened the Week of Action on 13 June with the launch of the campaign '#sumateydesarmate' ('Join and Disarm'), inviting members of the public to send in photos including the hash tag and spread the message in online forums.

Phillippines: Save lives and protect human rights through an Arms Trade Treaty"

The Philippine Action Network to Control Arms (PhilANCA) marked the Global Week of Action with a number of events on the theme "Save lives and protect human rights through an Arms Trade Treaty".

Burundi: Working together to reduce gun violence

“Forming coalitions to say no to gun violence: what is everyone’s role?” was the topic of discussion at a conference organised by REBAL-BUANSA and the Permanent National Commission against the proliferation of SALW (CNAP) in Burundi on 17 June.

Benin: Week of Action 2011 activities

The Benin national section of the West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) engaged with students, politicians and journalists to ensure the widest possible coverage of the week.

Palestine: Youth decorate murals in Gaza

On 18 June, Save Youth Future Association held a workshop and theatre show about gun violence for 50 vulnerable young people in Gaza, Palestine.

Lebanon: Students discuss ‘taboo’ small arms issues

On the final day of the week, Permanent Peace Movement organised training on the dangers of having a gun in the home.

Sudan: Community Workshop about armed violence

In Sudan, Upper Hand Organisation held a community workshop to raise awareness about the harmful effects of armed violence, domestic violence and the mental health of people who are victims of armed criminal violence.

India: students and military discuss ATT

The Asian Youth Centre and the Centre for Policy Advocacy organised a public meeting on the ATT in Delhi that included a speech by Major Mitali of the Indian Army.

India: Women survivors of armed violence demand strong ATT

The Control Arms Foundation of India and Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network held a successful meeting in Imphal, Manipur on the India side of the Indo-Burma border.

India: Religious leaders found Interreligious Movement for the ATT

On 16 June religious leaders from a range of faiths met at the Gandhi Study Centre in Chennai, India to discuss the formation of the first Interreligious Movement for an Arms Trade Treaty, led by Caritas International.

Pakistan: Communities discuss solutions to arms proliferation

Grassroots In Action (GIA) organised a seminar for the Week highlighting the impact of small arms on people and how to stop proliferation and misuse of these weapons.

US: New book about ATT and disarmament launched

The Monitoring Mechanism Towards an Arms Trade Treaty (MMTATT) held a book signing at the New York Public Library on June 18.

US: How to succeed in social media campaigning

In celebration of the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, Global Action to Prevent War (GAPW) organised a social media workshop on “Tweeting to End Gun Violence” in New York, US.

Southern Sudan: Listeners discuss armed violence in Radio show

In Southern Sudan, members of the public participated in a series of radio debates to discuss solutions to “Gun violence as an obstacle to socio- economic progress in the new Republic of South Sudan”.

Serbia: Women and theatre artists gather for panel debate about demilitarization

In Serbia, Women in Black (WIB) held two panel debates in the Dah Theatre in Belgrade on activism, peacebuilding and theater.

Kosovo: Seminar on celebratory gunfire and gun violence

On 17 June the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo hosted a seminar on celebratory gunfire and gun violence, in Pristina, Kosovo.

DR Congo: March highlights dangers of small arms to children

In DR Congo, Asvoco joined a march organised by MONUSCO for the Day of the African Child as part of their Week of Action activities.

Burundi: IANSA member calls for regional arms control

Good Generation of Burundi, an IANSA member in Burundi, launched an awareness-raising campaign on the Kinshasa Convention by handing a brief calling for the ratification of the Convention to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

IANSA Public Health Network campaign for an ATT that can help prevent armed violence

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), leading members of the IANSA Public Health Network, are using the Week of Action to highlight the public health aspects of small arms:

Rwanda: Day of campaigning against stigma associated with sexual veiolence

Bethesaida, in partnership with Baho Mission and Action to Protect Children and Their Environment held a day of campaigning against armed violence in the district of Musanze in the Northern Province of Rwanda.

DR Congo: IANSA members in local media success

In DR Congo, UCOPASUKI featured in an interview on Radio Okapi to talk about the importance of the Kinshasa Convention and national gun laws.