Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/2011Show full title

Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/2011

of 17 December 2018

in support of gender mainstreamed policies, programmes and actions in the fight against small arms trafficking and misuse, in line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28(1) and 31(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1) On 19 November 2018, the Council adopted the EU Strategy against illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons (‘SALW’) and their Ammunition ‘Securing Arms, Protecting Citizens’. The Strategy states that the Union will systematically mainstream gender considerations in the design of new projects relating to the fight against gun violence and SALW control in general, and the sharing of good practices in that regard.

(2) On 3 April 2017, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2017/633(1) in support of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (‘PoA’). The actions funded under that Decision were implemented by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and included the organisation of a thematic seminar entitled ‘SALW and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including SDG 16 and the gender aspects of SALW control’.

(3) On 28 May 2018, the Council adopted conclusions on a Union position on combatting the illicit trade in SALW, in light of the third United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the PoA that was held in June 2018. One of the Union's key objectives for the outcome of the Review Conference is the recognition of the differing impacts of armed violence on women, men, girls and boys, and promote the role of women in implementation of the PoA and gender awareness in SALW control actions as a condition for their effectiveness.

(4) On 30 June 2018, the third United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the PoA adopted an outcome document where States stated that they remain gravely concerned about the negative impact of the illicit trade in SALW on the lives of women, men, girls and boys and recognise that eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons is a key part of combatting gender-based violence, and that they recognise the need for strengthened participation of women in decision-making and implementation processes relating to the PoA and the International Tracing Instrument and reaffirm the need for States to mainstream gender dimensions in their implementation efforts. The States have also undertaken to encourage mainstreaming gender perspectives into small arms and light weapons policies and programmes, including in the areas of programme design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, taking into account, as appropriate, relevant guidelines and standards. The States have decided to encourage the coordinated implementation of national action plans on SALW with national action plans established under relevant United Nations resolutions and target 16.4 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and to encourage the collection of data disaggregated by sex on the illicit trade in SALW, including through national reports, and to increase understanding of the gender-specific impacts of the illicit trade in SALW, in particular for the purpose of improving corresponding national policies and programmes.

(5) The UN Security Council has on several occasions called for addressing women's meaningful participation, the prevention of conflict and violence, protection of violence including conflict-related sexual violence and post-conflict relief and recovery.

(6) In his Agenda for Disarmament ‘Securing our Common Future’, that was presented on 24 May 2018, the UN Secretary-General called for all States to incorporate gender perspectives in the development of national legislation and policies on disarmament and arms control, including consideration of the gendered aspects of ownership and of the use and misuse of arms, the differentiated impacts of weapons on women and men, the ways in which gender roles can shape arms control and disarmament policies and practices, and the full and equal participation of women in all decision-making processes related to disarmament and international security,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

(1)

Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/633 of 3 April 2017 in support of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (OJ L 90, 4.4.2017, p. 12).