Small Arms – the Real Weapons of Mass Destruction

June 5, 2003 – (International Alert Press Release) The real weapons of mass destruction are not the ones sought by weapons inspectors in Iraq. They’re everywhere - in the form of small arms and the ordinary people around the world who have access to them.

Through its Gender and Peacebuilding Programme International Alert examines the links between gender and countering violence in conflict situations. Brazil has the second highest rate of homicide in the world – one step behind Colombia, which has been in a situation of civil conflict for the past 30 years. In a country where the impact of poverty and the spread of HIV/AIDS has had a huge impact on mortality rates, firearms killed more young men than all other causes of death combined.

In Rio de Janeiro in 1999 for each woman between the ages of 15 and 29 killed by firearms, 24 young men were killed.

The Brazilian civil society organisation Viva Rio has looked to the past to pave the way towards a safer future. The Greek playwright Aristophanes wrote his comedy Lysistrata in 411 BC. The plot is simple: Athenian women, tired of war, go on a sex-strike to force their husbands to vote for peace. Viva Rio has taken up the idea, launching a campaign based on gender roles: “Choose Gun-Free! It’s Your Gun or Me!” encouraging women to persuade their husbands, sons and neighbours to give up their weapons – or face the consequences. Top female soap stars wear campaign t-shirts and use their sex-appeal to promote the image of men being more attractive without a gun. Combined with a weapon collection programme, this is proving hugely successful.

International Alert’s research in conflict regions shows that social stereotypes of what constitutes ‘masculinity’ and ‘femininity’ can often fuel conflict. However in disarmament initiatives these gender dynamics and social dimensions has often been neglected. Women also represent a significant percentage of combatants in current conflicts. In Nepal, for example, it’s estimated that one third of the Maoist fighters are women. Women are often used as carriers of small arms in illicit trafficking. At the community level they often know who owns arms and where they are kept.

Nicola Johnston, Senior Policy Advisor at Alert, says: “In the majority of conflicts power is wielded through the barrel of a gun, and in the current global situation of increasing militarisation and religious fundamentalism this leaves less space for the voice of human rights defenders and the rights of women who are not the usual controllers of weapons. Statistics show that young men are the usual homicide victims of small arms, but women and girls bear the brunt of domestic violence as well as caring and providing for the survivors of violent conflict. The links between domestic violence and macro-level violence need to be addressed from a social and gendered perspective in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration initiatives. The easy availability of small arms and adapted norms of violence in post-conflict situations create a bed for domestic violence and re-ignition of wider violence.”

The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) has launched a Week of Action 2 – 8 June to back up its campaign against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which, it’s estimated, kill one person every minute worldwide. This is the subject of the UN Biennial Meeting of States on the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons scheduled for 7-11 July in New York. Rebecca Peters, Director of IANSA summed up the severity of the situation: “Small arms are the real weapons of mass destruction. During the seven days of the Week of Action an estimated 9,600 citizens will die worldwide through gun violence”.

Notes to editors:

1. For further information about the links between gender, disarmament, conflict transformation and human security, contact Nicola Johnston or Helena Vazquez at International Alert on 0207 6276800 or visit IA’s website www.international-alert.org

International Alert is a UK-based NGO committed to the just and peaceful transformation of violent conflicts. Alert seeks to identify and address the root causes of violent conflict and contribute to the creation of sustainable peace, working with partner organisations in the Great Lakes region of Africa, West Africa, Central and East Africa, Eurasia, Sri Lanka and Columbia, and conducting research on issues relating to conflict, including the control of light weapons, security sector reform, the role of the private sector, the impact of development and women’s contribution to peace building.

2. Viva Rio is a Brazilian, Rio based civil society organization which was initiated in 1993. It campaigns for disarmament as part of its work for social justice in Brazil. It has an array of projects in literacy, microfinance, environment, community policing, consumer rights. The organization is a member of IANSA and an International Alert partner. For more information about the organization visit their web site www.vivario.org.br

3. The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) is the global network of civil society organisations working to stop the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW).

4. The UN defines Small Arms as revolvers, pistols, rifles, carbines, assault rifles and sub-machine guns; light weapons include machine guns, grenade launchers, anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles.

5. The UN Department for Disarmament Affairs launched its Gender Action Plan last month.

6. IANSA’s research shows that Small Arms and Light Weapons kill one person every minute worldwide.7. The UN Biennial Meeting of States on the control of Small Arms and Light Weapons scheduled for 7-11 July in New York will review progress made by member states which pledged in 2001 to reduce the spread and misuse of guns.