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

Funding opportunity for work on violence against women
Women, gender and guns

The United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women is accepting funding applications from government authorities, civil society organisations and networks for work on laws, policy and action to prevent violence against women.

Factsheet on small arms
Women, gender and guns

A factsheet on “Small Arms – Mass Destruction” has been produced for the project Women, War & Peace, to complement a five-part television series highlighting the impact of small arms on women

Libya: Graffiti contest promotes disarmament
Armed violence and development

On 19 November, Handicap International held the first ever formal graffiti contest in Benghazi, Libya to raise awareness about the dangers of using guns, which are widespread in Libya as a result of fighting between government and rebel forces.

Puerto Rico: Campaigners urge boycott of toy gun presents this Christmas
Children and armed violence

In Puerto Rico, campaigners for peace and security are encouraging people to promote community safety by not buying toy guns and violent computer games as Christmas presents this year.

Trinidad and Tobago: Police to mark 300 guns per month
Marking and tracing

Police in Trinidad and Tobago have committed to marking an average of 300 firearms per month over the next year, after receiving a new firearms laser marking machine. The machine was donated by the US government through the Organisation of American States (OAS).

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.