Kathmandu, Apr. 1
The United Nations Regional Centre
for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) is organising the
informal regional meeting on small arms control, women and security in
Kathmandu.
The meeting titled ‘Separate
Agendas, Common Objectives: Lessons Learned and Opportunities from the
Progressive Harmonisation of Small Arms Control and Women, Peace and Security’
is being organised with support from the European Union and in partnership with
Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday and Thursday.
Small arms and light weapons (SALW)
remain a leading driver of armed violence globally. Women and girls
disproportionately suffer from their misuse through domestic abuse, community
insecurity, and conflict-related sexual violence, the UNRCPD said in a
statement.
For too long, initiatives to tackle
illicit small arms proliferation have not been effectively integrated into
other relevant priority areas, such as Women, Peace and Security (WPS). However,
the 2024 Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on SALW took steps to
shift this approach, read the statement.
Likewise, this year marks the 30th
anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a landmark in
advancing women’s participation in peace and security. “Despite increased
global support, many countries continue to face challenges in translating
commitments into action,” said the UN agency.
To strengthen the link between these
two agendas, the UNRCPD is organising the meeting.
The meeting brings together
government officials, civil society actors, and regional and international
partners from across Asia and the Pacific to explore how gender perspectives
can be more effectively integrated into arms control.
Discussions will build on recent
global developments—such as the growing focus on gender in disarmament and the
introduction of new frameworks for safer ammunition management—and aim to
identify practical ways to better align small arms control with the Women,
Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
Through this meeting, cross-sector
collaboration is expected to be strengthened, inclusive policymaking
encouraged, and a strong regional network of people and organisations working
toward peace and security in Asia and the Pacific further developed.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 2 April 2025.
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