Work areas

The problem of small arms proliferation is multidimensional– that is why such a broad array of organisations around the world are so concerned about it. On this page you will find the latest news and resources on some of the hot topics for groups working against small arms and light weapons.

Latest news

Red Hand Day against child soldiers
Children and armed violence

Many IANSA members will mark the Red Hand Day against Child Soldiers on 12 February 2010. Its goal is to raise awareness of the plight of child soldiers through public protests, demonstrations and other activities.

EU-UN cooperation in peacebuilding
UN Small Arms Process

A new report about peacebuilding has been published by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).

15,992 guns collected in Burundi
Weapons collection and destruction

15,992 arms and more than 160,000 pieces of ammunition were collected in 17 provinces of Burundi last year by the National Focal Point in collaboration with RECSA (Regional Centre on Small Arms) and civil society organisations.

IANSA Women's Network Bulletin
Women, gender and guns

The latest edition of IANSA Women’s Network bulletin is now available. It has articles on the first Training Institute on women and SALW control, the Disarm Domestic Violence campaign in South Africa and UN Resolutions 1325 and 1820.

Albanian report on arms exports
International trade controls

Albania has produced its first national report on export and import of arms and military equipment, for 2007 and 2008.

Latest resources

Gender, Peace and Security Update from PRIO
Women, gender and guns
The first ‘Gender, Peace and Security Update (GPS)’ for 2012 from the Peace Research Institute Oslo, features PRIO researcher and Deputy Director Inger Skjelsbæk’s new book ‘The Psychology of War Rape: Studies from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the launch of the US Peace Research Endowment'.
NGO Presentations at the PoA PrepCom, 21 March 2012
UN Small Arms Process

Representatives of civil society spoke in the afternoon plenary session of the preparatory committee (PrepCom) for the 2012 Review Conference (RevCon) on 21 March 2012.

The importance of international cooperation and assistance to improve stockpile management in Africa
Stockpile management and security, UN Small Arms Process

This article was written by Félix Kokou Aklavon, member of the International Advisory Council (IAC) and the Togolese Action Network on Small Arms (RASALT) for the Small Arms Monitor during the preparatory committee for the 2012 Review Conference on the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (PoA).

The Arms Flyers: Commercial Aviation, Human Rights, and the Business of War and Arms
International trade controls

The report presents (Part I and Part II) a series of cases - from the 1980s to present - that illustrate and document the continuous involvement of aviation companies in the business of war, namely in the arms supply chains and also in covert operations, all of which have often resulted in consequent severe violations of human rights, from Nicaragua to Armenia, from D.R. Congo to Afghanistan and Rwanda.

What should the UN Programme of Action PrepCom 2012 Achieve?
UN Small Arms Process

The purpose of the PrepCom is to lay the groundwork for the RevCon, 27 August – 7 September 2012. The PrepCom is expected to produce a draft agenda for the RevCon i.e. which solutions to the problem of gun violence are open for discussion.