This year, the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence takes place on May 7-14, and focuses on the theme: “End the Crisis of Gun Violence.” In observance of this Week, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) has published a recent study on “the necessary linkage between legislation on gender-based violence and the regulations and controls governing small arms.”
The Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence is an annual initiative hosted by the global network of civil society with a view to creating a forum that highlights the international campaign to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms. This initiative promotes the effective implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons and raises awareness of armed violence and its consequences in society. One of the themes this year is the enactment or strengthening of legislation to disarm perpetrators of domestic violence.
Recently, UNLIREC prepared a legal study that analyzes the link between the legislation on small arms and the legislation governing the prevention and eradication of violence against women, with specific reference to Peru. The study presents a conceptual approach to gender-based violence and violence against women which then emphasizes the need for more effective national legislation to address the impact of the possession and carrying of small arms on women. The study also proposes a series of conclusions and recommendations on how to tackle the problem of small arms and gender-based violence.
The complete study can be downloaded at the following link: https://www.unlirec.org/documents/Estudiolegal_ViolenciaMujer.pdf
By providing assistance to Latin American and Caribbean States, UNLIREC contributes to the enhancement of public security and the implementation of the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN 2001 PoA).
For more information on UNLIREC, please visit (www.unlirec.org) or contact Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer (cowl@unlirec.org).