What?

The Permanent Mission of South Africa hosts this virtual side event on the margins of the 8th Conference of the States Parties of the Arms Trade Treaty.

Background

The question of equal representation in the disarmament fora continues to experience set-backs when probed or addressed in formal and informal settings. The gap in women’s underrepresentation in mediation, negotiations and leadership positions is rather wide compared to where it is expected to be in this present era. The UNSC Resolution 1325 has many goals, which seek to address armed conflict, but focuses on two points: addressing the problems women face as victims or survivors of war, and promoting women as agents of peace. While this is so, the same resolution is rather silent when it comes to gender issues and arms control and does not quite address the weapons used to wage this armed conflict. To this end it is evident that for a number of years, women have been broadly excluded in arms control and disarmament spaces. However, it is rather encouraging that some member states have not been silent, but are increasingly working hard to break the silos between the WPS agenda and Arms Control within the multilateral system.

UN High Representative of Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, emphasised that taking gender into account will not only have positive benefits for women but of equal importance, a gender-sensitive approach to disarmament will have positive impacts for the field as a whole. Reflected in the ATT Resolution A/C.1/73/L.8/ Rev.1, the UNGA First Committee duly encourages states parties and signatories to ensure the full and equal participation of women and men in pursuing the object and purpose of the Treaty and its implementation.

When?

Monday, 22 August July 2022, 13:30 - 14:30 CEST.

Where?

Online participation via Teams: Click here to join.