November
25, 2014 - Knowledge is power, and Dr. Anna Alvazzi del Frate believes
that information on the way small arms proliferation effects women and
girls can help save lives. “We believe that knowledge is the key to the
development of effective policies,” she said. “Through providing
independent information and analysis, [we] contribute to the
international efforts…to constrain the proliferation of light arms and
weapons and contribute to safer communities around the world.”
Alvazzi
is the research director for the Small Arms Survey, an NGO that looks at
the proliferation and dangers brought on by the misuse of small arms
across the world. The organization monitors all aspects of small arms
violence and acts as a resource for governments and others with information
on the issue.
This
year the group took a closer look at how gun violence affects the rights
of women in their report, “Small Arms Survey: Women and Guns”.
“We
have a good collaboration with the OHCHR,” she said. “As a reference for
any step in our work, we use the methodologies from the office such as
the Human Rights Indicators. We also keep them informed of our progress
of our research by sharing our publications and inviting officers to
meeting where we present our results.”
The
proliferation of fire arms as a women’s safety issue has gained
international clout, Alvazzi said. The end of 2014 will see the Arms
Trade Treaty go into effect. The Treaty, which has been ratified by 53
States, contains provisions to ensure that the spread of fire arms does
not have a negative impact on violence against women.
“This
recognition of the connection between violence against women and fire
arms is finally advancing this important agenda on women’s equality,” she
said.
The
effect of small arms violence on women is profound, Alvazzi said. Leaving
aside armed conflicts, the use of guns in domestic violence situation,
particularly in “stable” areas like Europe, leaves a disproportionate
number of women as victims, she said.
This,
combined with the under reporting of violent deaths, particularly those
of women, makes her work so relevant to human rights, she said.
“We
believe that we contribute in documenting patterns and trends of violence
against women and this is crucial information for those who can actually
implement programmes and policies in this direction,” Alvazzi said.
The
data and information gathered by Small Arms Survey have informed efforts
by the UN Human Rights Office in several areas, including the promotion
of accountability for gender-motivated killings of women.
This
story is published as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against
Gender-Based Violence, which runs every year from 25 November (the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10
December (Human Rights Day). The international campaign, calls for the
elimination of violence against women and invites everyone to take action
against it.
Women’s
rights are now acknowledged as fundamental human rights. Discrimination
and acts of violence against women are at the forefront of the human
rights discourse.
The
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW) came into force in 1981 and its Committee was established
in 1982. The Convention, often described as an international bill of
rights for women, has almost achieved universal ratification. An Optional
Protocol to the Convention was adopted in 1999.
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