IANSA’s 2020 campaign theme for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based VIolence (GBV) was "Ceasefire Now! Stop gun violence in our homes, on our streets, and on the battlefields". This built on the appeal for a ceasefire to stop armed violence in conflicts and within the home made by the United Nation’s Secretary-General in 2020. We know that firearms are frequently used in lethal, injurious, and intimidating acts of GBV. The COVID-19 pandemic has, in many circumstances, sadly exacerbated this and highlighted the urgent need for more effective controls to reduce gun violence.
IANSA members undertook a range of activities in English, French, Spanish and other languages. Community events, online competitions, workshops, social media campaigns and marches to raise awareness of GBV were held. Members engaged with community leaders, the police and officials to gain support for measures to reduce GBV and to consider gender responsive firearm controls.
Here’s what IANSA members did during the 2020 campaign!
Burundi:
Bold Generation
Youth-led Bold Generation held a weeklong campaign calling for an end to gun and gender-based violence, and urging a focus on community peace and sustainability building. The campaign also highlighted women's rights and leadership, educated children about the importance of gender equality and gun control, and encouraged local officials to increase the protection and enforcement of women’s rights. Bold Generation also obtained a pledge from rural community and church leaders that they will continue to remain vigilant about preventing and addressing violence in their communities after the campaign period
Bold Generation, une organisation dirigée par des jeunes, a organisé une campagne d'une semaine appelant à mettre fin à la violence armée ainsi qu’à la violence basée sur le genre, et appelant à mettre l'accent sur la paix communautaire et la durabilité. La campagne a également mis l’accent sur les droits et le leadership des femmes, sensibilisé les enfants à l’importance de l’égalité des sexes et du contrôle des armes à feu, et a encouragé les autorités locales à renforcer la protection et l’application des droits des femmes. Bold Generation a également obtenu la promesse des dirigeants des communautés rurales et dirigeants religieux de continuer à rester vigilants sur la prévention et la lutte contre la violence dans leurs communautés après la période de campagne.
Réveil Communautaire d’Assistance aux Victimes (RECOVI)
RECOVI held community activities to denounce violence against women and girls, and to mobilize support for gender equality and the prevention of gun violence in two communities where young people are particularly at risk. RECOVI also invited the national police and the department of disarmament and arms control to discuss the negative impacts of the proliferation and misuse of small arms. RECOVI is urging government officials to implement a gender perspective in the development of national legislation and policies on disarmament and arms control.
Cameroon:
Women in Alternative Action (WAA)
WAA organized a workshop titled “Gendered Perspective on Small Arms and the Impact of the Misuse of Guns on Communities in Cameroon” that included videos on gun violence followed by discussions. The workshop served as a platform for the experiences of gun violence survivors to be heard. Additionally, WAA organized a social media campaign on the effects of gun violence in communities. They also drafted recommendations on effective ways of stopping gun violence to establish more peaceful, just, resilient and sustainable communities.
Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP)
CAMYOSFOP organized a caravan event that included a march, speeches, dances, and quizzes on the fights against gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS. The event was carried out in the Eastern Region of Cameroon with vulnerable minorities of the Baka pygmies and Mbororos. With the support of UN Women, CAMYOSFOP also conducted a training of health workers on the delivery of services related to cases of gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.
CAMYOSFOP a organisé une caravane qui comprenait une marche, des discours, des danses et des quiz sur la lutte contre la violence basée sur le genre et le VIH / sida. L'événement s'est déroulé dans la région orientale du Cameroun avec des minorités vulnérables des pygmées Baka et Mbororos. Avec le soutien d'ONU Femmes, CAMYOSFOP a également organisé une formation d'agents de santé sur la prestation de services liés aux cas de violence basée sur le genre et de VIH / SIDA.
Central African Republic:
Global Peace Chain-CAR & Réseau des Femmes pour la Protection et l’Action Social – RFPAS
Le RFPAS a organisé une marche pour la paix en collaboration avec d'autres organisations de femmes afin de mettre fin à la violence à l'égard des femmes et des filles et appeler à des élections pacifiques en République Centrafricaine face aux tensions croissantes entre les partis politiques sur les décisions de la Cour Constitutionnelle. Le RFPAS et Global Peace Chain-CAR prévoient également d'organiser prochainement une session d'information et de plaidoyer pour d'autres organisations de la société civile dans le pays afin de partager avec elles le contenu qu'ils ont rassemblé lors d'un atelier organisé par le Centre régional des Nations Unies pour le désarmement en Afrique sur l'intégration du genre dans la maîtrise des armements et sensibiliser le public au programme Femmes, Paix et Sécurité (FPS) et aux Plans d’Action Nationaux sur les armes légères et de petit calibre.
RFPAS organized a peace march in collaboration with other women's organizations to call for an end to violence against women and girls as well as call for peaceful elections in the Central African Republic in the face of tensions mounting among political parties over constitutional court rulings. RFPAS and Global Peace Chain-CAR also plan to hold an information and advocacy session soon for other civil society organizations in the country to share with them content they gathered from a workshop organized by the UN Regional Centre for Disarmament in Africa on gender-mainstreaming small arms control, and raise awareness of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda and National Action Plans on small arms and light weapons.
République Démocratique du Congo (DRC):
Association des Volontaires du Congo (ASVOCO)
L'Association des Volontaires du Congo (ASVOCO) a organisé des émissions sur diverses stations de radio et de télévision ainsi que des campagnes de sensibilisation sur les marchés publics ayant pour but de promouvoir le contrôle des armes à feu. Dans leurs émissions publiques, l'ASVOCO a souligné la nécessité de mettre fin à un cercle de violence en RDC alimenté par les armes à feu: les hommes du pays perdent souvent la vie à cause de la violence armée, laissant derrière eux des veuves et des enfants orphelins. Trop souvent, ces veuves et ces orphelins deviennent la cible de violences, y compris de la part de membres de la famille du défunt.
L'Association des Volontaires du Congo (ASVOCO) organized broadcasts on various radio and television stations as well as awareness campaigns in public marketplaces that promoted firearms control. In their public broadcasts, ASVOCO emphasized to the need to end a circle of violence in the DRC fueled by guns: Men in the country often lose their lives to gun violence, leaving behind widowed women and orphaned children. All too often, these widowed women and orphaned children then become targets of violence by others, including by family members of the deceased
Food and Livestock Initiative (FLI)
FLI a organisé un séminaire de formation avec des organisations de la société civile intitulé « Jeunesse, paix et développement dans la ville de Goma ». Le séminaire a abordé la manière avec laquelle la violence basée sur le genre peut être réduite ainsi que d'autres crimes à Kyeshero et Ndosho. Le séminaire a amélioré les connaissances de 42 jeunes de dix organisations de la société civile travaillant sur la paix et le développement.
FLI organized a training seminar entitled “Youth, Peace and Development in the City of Goma” for 42 young people from 10 different civil society organizations that addressed ways of reducing gender-based violence and crime in target neighborhoods to increase peace and development.
Initiative des Femmes Entrepreneurs pour le Développement Durable (IFEDD)
L'IFEDD a organisé un atelier de renforcement des capacités impliquant les hommes, femmes, filles et garçons ayant pour objectif de créer des plans de sécurité communautaire, de discuter des moyens de prévenir la violence et des moyens d'impliquer les autorités locales dans les mécanismes de prévention afin de réduire la violence communautaire. L'IFEDD a également diffusé des messages clés sur ces sujets à travers des programmes radio locaux.
IFEDD organized a capacity building workshop involving men, women, girls and boys with the aim of creating community safety plans, discussing ways to prevent violence, and involving authorities in community violence prevention mechanisms. IFEDD also broadcast key messages on these topics through local radio programs.
Réseau des Femmes en Action pour le Développement Social (REFEADES)
REFEADES organized a march in which women and girls raised their voices against sexual and gender-based gun violence, and called for an end to impunity for perpetrators. In addition, REFEADES organized choirs from local churches to sing songs denouncing sexual and gender-based gun violence, and organized a soccer match in which messages against violence and messages promoting women’s rights were spread during half time.
Ucopasuki
Ucopasuki a organisé une conférence et un débat visant à sensibiliser les participants de la communauté et les médias locaux aux stratégies qui peuvent être utilisées pour intégrer une approche sexospécifique au contrôle des armes légères à Uvira, au Sud-Kivu, en RDC.
Ucopasuki organized a conference and debate aiming at sensitizing community members and the local media to strategies that can be used to integrate a gendered approach to small arms control in Uvira, South Kivu of the DRC.
El Salvador:
La Fundación de Estudios para la Aplicación del Derecho (FESPAD)
FESPAD organizó un diálogo comunitario para cuatro grupos sobre la respuesta del Estado a la violencia de género perpetrada con armas pequeñas. Los participantes incluyeron 150 mujeres de diferentes municipios de El Salvador, y una representante del Instituto Salvadoreño de la Mujer hizo una presentación sobre la situación actual de VdG en el país. FESPAD hizo una presentación sobre las armas de fuego y la VdG en el país, y los participantes discutieron las formas de prevenir la VdG, especialmente la que se alimenta con armas de fuego. FESPAD también emitió un comunicado de prensa sobre la violencia contra las mujeres y la importancia de mejorar el control de armas para mejorarlo.
FESPAD organized a community dialogue on the State response to GBV perpetrated by small arms. Participants included 150 women from two municipalities in El Salvador. A representative from the Salvadoran Institute for Women gave a presentation on the current GBV situation in the country. FESPAD gave a presentation about firearms and GBV in the country, and participants discussed ways to prevent GBV, especially that fueled by firearms. FESPAD also released a press statement on violence against women and the importance of improving arms control to reduce it.
Haiti:
Vision Haïtienne des Droits de l’Homme (VHDH)
Pour sensibiliser la population aux méfaits de la violence armée et à la nécessité urgente de mettre fin à la violence basée sur le genre, VHDH a placé six panneaux d'affichage à des endroits stratégiques de la ville de Fond-des-Nègres et distribué 250 dépliants. Traduits en créole pour offrir une plus grande accessibilité à la population locale, les documents soulignaient la nécessité pour le public de s'impliquer pour mettre fin à la violence. Le chef du VHDH a également participé à une émission de radio pour discuter de l'impact de la violence armée sur les femmes et les filles.
To raise awareness of the harms of armed violence and the urgent need to end gender-based violence, VHDH placed six billboards in strategic locations in the town of Fond-des-Negres and distributed 250 fliers. Translated into Creole to provide greater accessibility to the local population, the materials emphasized the need for the public to get involved in ending the violence. The head of VHDH also participated in a radio program to discuss the impact of armed violence on women and girls
Israel:
Gun Free Kitchen Tables (GFKT)
Long active in working to counter gender-based violence and the proliferation and misuse of guns in Israel, Gun Free Kitchen Tables expanded its coordination with Palestinian feminist activists and organizations, leading to the launch of a new website in Arabic, Hebrew and English. As part of this, GFKT is leading efforts in Israel to produce informational and advocacy materials about GBV, gun proliferation, and local realities from a feminist standpoint for Arabic speakers--material that has previously only been available in English and Hebrew.
Latin America and the Caribbean:
Seguridad Humana en Latinoamérica y el Caribe (SEHLAC)
Para difundir información en inglés, español, portugués y francés sobre los feminicidios, las armas de fuego legales e ilegales utilizadas para cometerlos, y la violencia contra las niñas y adolescentes, SEHLAC llevó a cabo una campaña en las redes sociales durante varias semanas. Su campaña también llamó la atención sobre los derechos humanos y amplificó el llamado a un alto el fuego en los conflictos y en la violencia doméstica que ha surgido durante la pandemia de COVID-19.
To spread facts and awareness about femicides, legal and illegal firearms used to commit them, violence against girls in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, SEHLAC carried out a social media campaign for several weeks. Their campaign also drew attention to human rights and amplified the call for ceasefires in conflicts and domestic violence that has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nepal:
Women, Peace, and Democracy (WPD-Nepal)
WPD organized a video contest to give young people from five different schools in Kathmandu a chance to reflect on the 16 Days theme and to make a video on the topic of ceasefires, gun violence, and GBV. The winning video entries were presented and discussed in a webinar organized later by WPD-Nepal. Teachers and students, who have been confined at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, reported that the contest gave them a welcome chance to be more active and think about arms control, and the students felt the ceasefire topic is so important that it should be shared with youth living in the rural areas along the Nepal-India border that have become a transit point for the illegal guns trade, and where many women have been affected by guns in their home.
Nigeria:
Peace Initiative Nigeria (PIN)
To counter gender-based violence in Kano state, Nigeria, PIN held advocacy visits to religious leaders, women's groups, youth groups, and community leaders to create awareness of the devastating effects of GBV and the need to end it. They also organized a training workshop on the consequences of GBV, effects of violence on the family, effects of violence on groups, and on society as whole. PIN also developed radio jingles to increase awareness of the scope of the problem and its impact in the state.
Pakistan:
Blue Veins
In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Human Rights, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commision on the Status of Women, and an academic think tank, Blue Veins organized a provincial conference on gun violence, gender equity, and gender mainstreaming in small arms control work. Members of the provincial assembly, civil society representatives, youth groups, academics, government officials, and members of the media attended the conference. Blue Veins also held awareness sessions with the media regarding their role in combating gun violence both online and offline, and is planning a post conference follow up session with members of the provincial assembly.
Rural Development Foundation
RDF organized a session for 40 youth to learn more about the gender implications of small arms and gun violence and about the increasing vulnerability of women and transgender persons. Youth were guided on how to advocate for the prevention of small arms proliferation and gun violence with local stakeholders and legislators at community, provincial and national levels. RDF also organized a consultation session on gender and small arms for civil society organizations to help them improve the participation of women, girls, and transgender people in advocacy efforts for small arms control with provincial and national legislators and policy makers in Pakistan.
Peru:
Federación Mujeres & Municipalidades ALC (FEMUM/ALC)
FEMUM lanzó en Perú una campaña digital de 16 dias en inglés, español, inglés y lenguas indígenas (quechua, aimara y shipibo), cuyo mensaje central fue "No armas: darles a niñas y niños herramientas para la vida y esperanza para el futuro.” y "No armas: garantizar a niñas y adolescentes una vida segura". Como cierre, FEMUM organizó una webinar Latinoamericana sobre armas pequeñas y el riesgo para la seguridad de niñas/os en la región. Estas actividades se centraron en convocar a colectivos juveniles, expertos, ONGs, y a varias redes claves como SaferCities.
FEMUM launched a digital campaign in Spanish, English, and the indigenous languages of Quechua, Aimara, and Shipibo with the central messages "No Guns: Give girls and boys tools for life and hope for the future," and”No weapons: guarantee a safe life for girls and adolescents.” On the final day of the campaign, FEMUM organized a Latinamerican webinar on small arms and risks to children in the region. Youth groups, experts, NGOs, and key networks such as SaferCities were the focus of the activities.
Philippines:
Center for Peace Education (CPE) at Miriam College
In partnership with student and youth organizations, CPE carried out an online video campaign. From 25 November-10 December, CPE posted a 1-minute video each day on social media of a young person sharing their thoughts and perspectives on the issues covered in the 16 Days campaign. CPE will feature a compilation of the videos in one of their online education programs called “Our Peaceful Classroom,” to further raise awareness of GBV, human rights, gun violence, and the role of youth in arms control.
Senegal:
SOS Equilibre
SOS Equilibre a rencontré les autorités locales pour faire part de leurs préoccupations quant à la nécessité d'interdire l'utilisation illégale des ALPC et également d'accroître la participation des femmes dans les processus de paix. Les unités de quartier ont mobilisé leurs membres, y compris les autorités locales des différentes communes, les jeunes et les membres des clubs des droits de l'homme. SOS Equilibre a écrit un document de plaidoyer et l’a partagé avec un représentant de l'Assemblée Nationale. La campagne de SOS Equilibre a été présentée dans un journal local.
SOS Equilibre met with local authorities to raise concerns on the need to prohibit the illegal use of SALW and to increase the involvement of women in peace processes. Its neighborhood units mobilized members, including the local authorities of the different communes, youth, and members of human rights clubs. SOS Equilibre wrote an advocacy document and presented it to a representative of the National Assembly. The SOS Equilibre campaign was featured in a local newspaper.
Sierra Leone:
Christian Response Women's Network (CROWN)-Sierra Leone, the Christian Justice Outreach Mission, and the Women's League for International Peace and Freedom (WILPF)-Sierra Leone
To raise awareness of the importance of gender mainstreaming in small arms control and of preventing gender based violence in communities, the Christian Response Women's Network (CROWN)-Sierra Leone, the Christian Justice Outreach Mission, and the Women's League for International Peace and Freedom (WILPF)-Sierra Leone formed a coalition team to take the 16 Days campaign message to several schools and communities that are hot spots for gun violence and gender-based violence. Throughout the duration of the campaign, the coalition also carried out street campaigning and community engagement on the main streets of Freetown, including in the market and business districts. Team members also spread far and wide through community radio programs the message that women's inclusion in the control of arms and ending gender-based violence are essential.
South Africa:
Gun Free South Africa ( GFSA) - Youth wing
Gun Free South Africa youth activists for gun control began the creation of a coloring book for children that encourages them to “shoot for the stars, and pick up healthy interests and dreams rather than being tempted to pick up guns. This builds on a photo project they had carried out earlier in the year. Other GFSA youth activists participated in a silent protest by displaying posters with information relating to the abuse of women and children.
Disarmament and Arms Control (DAC)
In partnership with the Yeovillle Community Police Forum, DAC organized a walk against the killing and abuse of women and girls in Yeoville--a community in which police report that many victims of domestic violence tend to withdraw their cases for fear of repercussions. Police officials encouraged the community to support survivors of GBV through the creation of brigades and support groups. Both men and women joined in the walk carrying messages such as "Love shouldn't hurt."
Trinidad and Tobago:
Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD)
WINAD organized eight focus groups titled “Women’s Conversations” to discuss how the presence of a gun in the home increases danger from domestic violence and the impact of COVID-19 on women’s lives. Participants included youth, migrants, professional women, and residents of communities across Trinidad and Tobago with high levels of domestic violence. Following the Conversations, WINAD is drafting a report with recommendations and a policy brief for dissemination to government, businesses, and civil society organizations to advocate for more sustainable interventions to protect women.
Uganda/Great Lakes Region:
Mechanism of Search for Peace and Development Initiative (MI-RPD )
MI-RPD invited governments, civil society organizations, faith based organizations, and the media in the Great Lakes region, to join forces to counter the global pandemic of violence against women and girls. In Uganda, MI-RPD met with numerous religious leaders to encourage them to get actively involved in ending gender-based and armed violence. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MI-RPD organized interviews with journalists on different radio station broadcasts to raise awareness of the consequences of GBV and to call for support for survivors. In Burundi, MI-RPD met with the head of the country’s National Permanent Commission against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the chief police commissioner to discuss how to more effectively implement regional and international arms control agreements and to share their recommendations regarding gender-based violence prevention. The meeting resulted in a plan for further collaboration between civil society and government in the shared goal of countering the proliferation and misuse of guns
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