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

Guatemala: Transitions Foundation promotes the needs of survivors with disabilities

Transitions Foundation in Guatemala is using the Week of Action to promote their work for people who are disabled as a result of gun violence.

Ecuador: Students and teachers decorate mural for peace and disarmament

In Ecuador, IANSA member SERPAJ is organising a 4-day workshop on gun violence prevention at a school in San Lorenzo.

US: City council designates Gun Violence Prevention Day during the Week of Action

On 15 June, Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution that recognises the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, and designates 18 June as Gun Violence Prevention Day in the city.

Nepal: IHRICON celebrates Week of Action and 10 year anniversary

Over 80 journalists, government officials, academics, NGO representatives and members of the public attended a conference and book launch in Kathmandu organised by the Institute of Human rights Communication Nepal (IHRICON).

Palestine: TV spot raising awareness about the danger of guns

Middle East Non Violence and Democracy, an IANSA member in Palestine, aired a short film on the dangers of guns on Al Quds TV, a channel with approximately 200,000 regular viewers, Youtube, Ustream and on several Facebook sites.

Lebanon: First event to discuss gun violence against women

The Lebanese Council to Resist Violence Against Woman (LECORVAW) organised a round table discussion about “The impact of small arms on women and girls in domestic violence” in Tripoli, Northern Lebanon.

UN: Department of Peacekeeping Operations join the Week of Action

As part of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) have issued a statement in support of the Week of Action.

Spain: Support for the UN Programme of Action

In Spain, Plataforma per la Pau Lloret has issued press releases in Catalan expressing their support for the UN Programme of Action (UN PoA) on small arms.

India: Succesful discussion on India and the ATT

Control Arms Foundation of India (CAFI) report that their second event for the Week of Action 2011, a panel discussion on gun violence in India and the ATT, was a great success.

Week of Action 2011 in DR Congo: Women highlight danger of guns to children

As part of the Week, the Association of Women Nurses to Help Women and Children Who Are Rape Survivors or Living With HIV/AIDS (AFIA-FEV), participated in a preparatory meeting of the Day of the African Child in Bukavu, DR Congo.

Week of Action 2011 in Sudan: Musicians sing for peace and disarmament

In Sudan, Upper Hand Organisation marked the Week of Action with a concert in the region of Umbadda, west of Khartoum.

Week of Action 2011 in Senegal: Pilgrims support a strong Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

The Senegalese Action Network on Small Arms (RESAAL) is holding a variety of activities along the route of a famous pilgrimage in Popenguine, Senegal.

Week of Action 2011 in Burkina Faso: Radio listeners ask questions about illicit guns

WAANSA-Burkina participated in a radio show on OUAGA FM, during which listeners learned about recent research on illicit guns by the National Commission, and were invited to phone in and ask questions about small arms in Burkina Faso.

Sierra Leone: Radio interview on youth and gun violence prevention

Joseph Smith of the Campaign for Peace and Non-Violence, Sierra Leone,  featured in a programme on West Africa Democracy Radio in Sierra Leone.

Cote d'Ivoire: IANSA members call for ratification of the ECOWAS Convention on small arms

IANSA members in Cote d’Ivoire demanded that the Ivorian government ratify the ECOWAS Convention on small arms during a conference in Abidjan as part of the Global Week of Action against Gun Violence.

Colombia: A day without homicides in Medellin

“There were zero homicides in Medellin on 15 June, during the Disarmament Week” Juan Felipe Palau, the Government Secretary of Medellin, Colombia, said on Twitter.

Week of Action 2011 activities in Iraq

In Iraq, students, teachers, civil society organisations and decision makers were brought together in a conference in Karbala, organised by the Iraqi Organisation for Rehabilitating Society and Environment.

Week of Action 2011 marked in Palestine

For the first time, Week of Action activities are taking place in Palestine.

Burundi: Voices of survivors for the Week of Action 2011

In Burundi, voices of survivors have been the center of focus in several activities organised by IANSA members.

Colombia: Activities in the city of Medellin

In Medellin, Colombia, women gathered in the Parque de Berrio square this morning for a vigil to show their support for civilian disarmament.

Dominican Republic: Researchers interview victims of gender violence

During the Week of Action, researchers from the Caribbean Institute for the Rule of Law (ICED) are interviewing victims of gender violence to get firsthand information about the role and impact of firearms in cases of gender violence in Dominican Republic.

France: Action Sécurité Ethique Républicaines targeting government in call for a strong Arms Trade Treaty (ATT

In France, Association Action Sécurité Etique Républicaines (ASER) has issued a press release calling the French Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and parliamentarians who are members of the relevant working groups to promote a strong ATT.

Jordan: Women's symposium hears testimony from survivor of armed domestic violence

In Amman, Jordan, the Women's Studies Centre at Jordan University organised a symposium on the impact of small arms on women in the home.

Week of Action 2011: Activities in Republic of Congo

In a press release to launch the Week in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, Forum pour la Guvernance et les droits de l’Homme (FGDH) reminded the Congolese government about their commitments under the PoA

New national Action Network on Small Arms in Rwanda

We are delighted to announce that a new national Action Network on Small Arms has been launched in Rwanda.

Week of Action 2011: Activities in Peru

In Peru, the Institute of Security and Human Rights (ISDH) hosted a radio interview with the head of the National Commission about what the state of Peru is doing to fight the proliferation of small arms in the country.

Week of Action 2011: Women United for Peace in the Great Lakes Region Bulletin

In Burundi, Women United for Peace in the Great Lakes Region (FUP/GL) have dedicated the latest edition of their bulletin, ECHOS DES FUP/GL to the Week of Action

Kenya: Add your contribution to the debate on small arms in East Africa

The Coalition for Peace in Africa (COPA), a member of the Kenya Action Network on Small Arms (KANSA), is inviting people to share their views online on what needs to be done to tackle the proliferation of small arms in East Africa.

Cameroon: People's consultation on the Kinshasa Convention during the Week of Action 2011

Women in Alternative Action, an IANSA member in Cameroon, marked the 10 year anniversary of the UN Programme of Action on small arms (PoA) with a people’s consultation on the Central African Convention on Small Arms, also known as the Kinshasa Convention.

Nepal: "Stop Violence through Weapons"

As part of the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, the Nepal Working Group on Small Arms and other portable lethal Weapons (SAplW), an open-ended network of 40 organisations, held a workshop on gun violence in Nepal on 16 June 2011.