This publication explores how United Nations (UN) peace operations can better address conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) by integrating arms control and disarmament tools. Drawing on a review of mission mandates, operational guidance and insights from focus groups in missions countries such as the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, and South Sudan, the report highlights how tools like disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration, weapons and ammunition management, community violence reduction, and arms embargoes can be cross- leveraged to prevent CRSV.
The report finds that, despite clear links between the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and CRSV, UN peace operations continue to overlook weapons-related issues in their efforts to address sexual violence. The report offers concrete recommendations to strengthen gender-responsive arms control in support of both immediate protection and long-term prevention.
Citation: Hana Salama. Deploying the Arms Control and Disarmament Toolbox: Strengthening the Role of United Nations Peace Operations to Prevent Sexual Violence. Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR, 2025