IANSA, with support from UNSCAR, launched the pilot project “Building Civil Society Dialogues with Governments to Promote National PoA Priorities” in 2022. This project aims to facilitate discussions between civil society organizations and governments to advance national priorities in implementing the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (UNPoA), based on the diverse and urgent nature of the small arms issue globally. This infographic highlights successful partnerships between the governments of Cameroon and Pakistan and local civil society organizations (The Mission of Cameroon Youth and Stud ..read more

The UN Programme of Action on Small Arms (UNPoA) is a framework for Member States to prevent the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW). It provides guidance to governments to implement it through national laws and policies, emphasizing the need for cooperation to prevent the circulation of illegal firearms globally. IANSA has created an infographic that introduces the UNPoA and demonstrates how setting national targets can help prevent the illicit trade in SALW. It highlights the main UNPoA functional areas, the goals and objectives of IANSA for each functional area, and in ..read more

IANSA’s pilot project “Building Civil Society Dialogues with Governments to Promote National PoA Priorities” presented an opportunity for states and civil society to work together to deter proliferation and promote better regulation of small arms, consistent with the state’s relevant international and regional agreements. Twelve IANSA members spread across Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean served as national facilitators, reaching out to government officials responsible for SALW control as well as other relevant civil society actors. The key messages were: The ..read more

At the heart of the IANSA network is a shared commitment to raise public awareness of the dangers of small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation and violence, and to conduct fact-based advocacy of polices, laws and practical measures in constructive engagement with authorities to address the dangers in the countries where they are based. Since its inception, IANSA and its members, have contributed significantly by innovating and sustaining international, regional, and national efforts to combat the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons to strengthen human security. IAN ..read more

This briefing paper considers links between controlling civilian possession of small arms at the national level and possible implications for global efforts to control the trade in small arms and light weapons (SALW). National-level controls on small arms have a strong effect on the viability of controls at regional and global levels. Allowing small arms to move freely and be diverted across national borders, for example, makes regional and global controls difficult – if not impossible – to accomplish. Given that 85 percent of small arms are estimated to be in civilian hands, neglecting contro ..read more

The illicit trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition, parts and components remains a serious international problem in many States. To prevent the illicit trade in conventional weapons and to prevent their diversion to the illicit market, all States have made commitments since 2001 to establish stronger systems that will ensure responsible control of arms transfers. A coherent regulatory system for SALW should include robust export and import risk assessment procedures and licensing systems entailing the verification of end-use(r) certificates and other documents, as we ..read more

IANSA’s informative booklet on abusive masculine behaviour and gender-based gun violence aims to help young people envision a different future. This interactive notebook contains definitions, key points, questions and activities, as well as space for the owner to write their own reflections on these problems and how best to tackle them. It asks questions like: “How can you and we contribute to solutions?” and “How can you help adults learn to promote a culture of human rights where respect for human dignity, tolerance, and equality are core values in guiding behaviours?” By tackling these diff ..read more

https://iansa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/iansa_gun_violence_subtitled_en-1080p.mp4   IANSA has created an animated video to raise awareness and urge for ALL voices to be heard to unite against gun violence and create a safer world for all. Gun violence affects millions of people across many countries every day. This video highlights the risk factors and consequences of gun violence which is leading to the destruction of lives and livelihoods. In particular, poor gun control laws are enabling easy access to uncontrolled guns and fueling their irresponsible use. IANSA highlights th ..read more

Small arms and light weapons are widely available and easy to use, so they are the most prominent tools in contemporary armed conflicts as well as in armed criminal and interpersonal violence in non-conflict settings. To grasp the global scale of SALW proliferation and the patterns of violence committed with SALW, this briefing paper summarizes the available data which is considered reliable from credible sources. Most of this data are estimates which suffer from gaps in collection by governments. Reliability is somewhat improved after a few years of cross-checking by UN bodies. This paper out ..read more

This paper draws on personal insight and experience from a range of women members of IANSA working to prevent and end gun violence in The Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, South Africa, and Argentina. Through quotes and stories derived from Zoom interviews by Jenny Morgan during 2021, this paper aims to capture and collate knowledge and learning to help strengthen understanding of some of the ways in which gender dimensions affect women’s work and engagement in the areas of small arms and light weapons (SALW) control and gun violence prevention. In addition, some contributor ..read more