Enhancing Gender Mainstreaming and Disarmament Awareness in the RECSA Region (UNSCAR)
Overview
Enhancing Gender Mainstreaming and Disarmament Awareness in the RECSA Region (UNSCAR)
This 2022 UNSCAR-funded project empowered women in disarmament in Burundi and South Sudan by mainstreaming gender in SALW control. It aligned with global peace agendas, promoted gender-responsive policies, built stakeholder capacity, and improved gender-disaggregated data to support inclusive, sustainable peace and community safety.
- Enhancing Gender in Disarmament
Empowering Women for Safer Communities
January 2022 – December 2022 | Funded by UNSCAR
About the Initiative
Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) disproportionately affect women and girls, fueling gender-based violence and insecurity. This UNSCAR-funded project empowered women in disarmament across Burundi, South Sudan by mainstreaming gender in SALW control. Aligned with the UN’s Women, Peace and Security agenda and the AU’s Silencing the Guns initiative, we promoted inclusive peacebuilding.
Key Objectives
- Promote gender-responsive SALW policies through training and advocacy.
- Raise awareness of SALW impacts differently across genders.
- Develop and validate the RECSA Gender Policy on Disarmament.
- Build capacity for gender-sensitive disarmament programs.
What We Achieved
- Gender Policy Progress: Drafted and partially implemented RECSA Gender Strategy.
- Awareness Campaigns: Engaged communities in Burundi and South Sudan through forums and media.
- Capacity Building: Trained 30 stakeholders, including NFPs and CSOs, on gender-inclusive SALW programs.
- Data Improvement: Strengthened regional gender-disaggregated data collection for SALW.
Lessons Learned
Women’s participation leads to sustainable disarmament outcomes. Media partnerships amplify impact, and baseline gender data is essential for monitoring progress.
Exhange Visit on transformative Gender Roles in Disarmament
Gender public awareness in Burundi