There is one billion firearms in global circulation as of 2017. Only a fraction of those is reported as being officially registered. Eighty-five per cent are in civilian hands with only fifteen per cent under control of the military and law enforcement agencies.^{(Small Arms Survey stats)} Civilian holdings comprise not only weapons held by individuals but also those possessed by private security companies, non-state armed groups, and gangs. While these groups hold a small fraction of the civilian total, their weapons can be disproportionately used in the context of armed violence.

High levels of arms and ammunition in circulation contribute to insecurity, cause harm to civilians, facilitate human rights violations and impede humanitarian access as they serve as a primary tool for armed conflict and crime. That is why it is important to effectively regulate and control these weapons.

In order to do so, it is important to consider the role that gender dimensions play in the proliferation, use and misuse and impacts of small arms. There is an urgent need to address rigid gender norms and inequalities in the small arms control sphere by applying a ‘gender lens’ to truly enable long-term and transformative results. Gender-responsive solutions can come from a variety of actors, including governments, civil society, regional organizations, the United Nations and other international organization, donors, etc., all of which can support more effective small arms control policies and programmes.

This course presents the linkages between gender and small arms and light weapons (SALW); raises awareness of gender issues among SALW practitioners at every level; builds buy-in regarding how gender awareness makes their work more effective; and demonstrates why and how to prevent armed gender-based violence through gender-responsive small arms control measures.

Components & Methodology

This is a self-paced interactive online training course. It can be used as a stand-alone learning opportunity or as a prerequisite course prior to in-person training.

The course consists of six (6) modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to gender equality & small arms control
• Module 2: Relevant policy frameworks and the convergence of agendas
• Module 3: Data collection, gender analysis and gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation in small arms contexts
• Module 4: Gender norms and underlying drivers of arms-related gender-based violence
• Module 5: Gender-responsive small arms policies
• Module 6: Gender-responsive operational small arms control programming and implementation

The entire course takes approximately three (3) hours to complete with quizzes after each module and pre-/post-knowledge tests to check learning progression.

The course is available in English and will be shortly available in other languages as well, including Arabic, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Participants will need a computer or a mobile device, with audio and video capabilities and a reliable internet connection. No special software is required. 

	Classification: Course level: Introductory Methodology: Online Self-paced Course Registration: Public Self-enrolment
	Objectives and Learning Outcomes: - Introduce basic terminologies and concepts on gender and SALW control - Give overview of the relevant international policy frameworks and converging agendas and introduce gender-responsive small arms policies - Enhance understanding of the need to include gender perspectives in small arms control measures - Demonstrate ways to prevent arms-related gender-based violence on the international and national policy levels - Demonstrate how SALW and gender communities can work together enhancing each other’s work on data collection and data analysis List of themes covered: Gender and Disarmament Module 1: Introduction to gender equality & small arms control Module 2: Relevant policy frameworks and the convergence of agendas Module 3: Data collection, gender analysis and gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation in small arms contexts Module 4: Gender norms and underlying drivers of arms-related gender-based violence Module 5: Gender-responsive small arms policies Module 6: Gender-responsive operational small arms control programming and implementation All participants successfully completing the training course will receive an official Certificate of Completion
	Target Audience: While this course was developed primarily for small arms control, weapons and ammunition management experts and those working on women, peace and security and gender equality issues, it can also be used by the wider community of practitioners, civil society, regional and sub-regional organizations. It is intended for those who are new to the small arms and light weapons control as well as those who are experts in this field. The course is available in English and is held in the Disarmament Education Dashboard, thus participants need a computer or mobile device, with audio and reliable internet connection. No special software is required.
	Language: English Course will be available in other languages as well, including Arabic, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
	Expected time commitment Course schedule: March 01, 2023 Length of a session: 2 – 4 Hours Number of sessions: 1 Number of modules: 7