UNIDIR, Control Arms, the Small Arms Survey and the governments of Mexico and Romania invite you to an interactive, in-person side event which will provide an opportunity to assess how gender has been considered in the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty since its entry into force ten years ago and to explore new ideas for how to take this agenda forward in future.
The Arms Trade Treaty was the first legally binding international instrument to recognize the link between gender-based violence and arms transfers. Under Article 7.4, States Parties are obliged to consider the risk of conventional arms being used to commit or facilitate serious acts of gender-based violence (GBV) or violence against women and children in arms export risk assessments. However, in practice, export denials on this basis are extremely rare due to several factors, such as the lack of available data linking specific weapons with incidents of gender-based violence.
In 2019, during the Fifth Conference of States Parties (CSP5), States made several decisions and recommendations on gender-balanced representation in the treaty, data collection to further the understanding of gendered impacts of armed violence, and to strengthen the implementation of GBV-related risk assessment. Although there have been some improvements when it comes to gender balance, women remain underrepresented in official meetings of the ATT, comprising on average only 34% of diplomats. Some States Parties have been forthcoming in sharing national practices in applying GBV assessment criteria, but gaps remain.
This event will discuss future opportunities to advance gender in the ATT and to support states with the implementation of Article 7.4.
When and Where
Thursday, 22 August 2024, from 13:15 to 15:00 CEST, Room C, Centre International de Conférences (CICG), Geneva.
*A light lunch will be served from 13:00 in front of Room C
Participation
The organizers encourage the participation of all State representatives, representatives of international and regional organizations, as well as civil society representatives. Participants do not require registration to the conference to join this side event.
Agenda
Opening Remarks
- Miguel A. Reyes Moncayo, Deputy Legal Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico
Panel
- Hine-Wai Loose, Director, Control Arms
- Callum Watson, Gender Coordinator, Small Arms Survey
- Deepayan Basu Ray, Director, UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific
Closing Remarks
- Simona Codrescu, Head of Conventional Arms Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romania
Moderation
- Hana Salama, Researcher, Gender and Disarmament Programme, UNIDIR
Organizers
Co-hosts
