War and violent conflict have a disproportionate and unique impact on women and girls, recognised by UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. This resolution also acknowledges the vital role women play in building more peaceful and stable communities, through participation in peace processes, post-conflict reconstruction and security efforts.
However, in areas such as Weapons and Ammunition Management, women are heavily under represented—according to research by UNIDIR, men constituted 86 per cent of all participants in WAM training. Gender stereotypes, lack of access to training and poor infrastructure often impede women from entering the sector.
“Participating in HALO’s training equipped me with the knowledge and skills to manage and lead WAM programmes, and overall project management skills that would enable me to become an effective leader of WAM programmes in the future."
HALO is committed to ensuring women's full participation in the arms control sector. Thanks to the support of The Government of Canada we have developed a three year programme to provide technical weapons and ammunition training to increase the participation of 'Women in WAM' and build a new generation of female experts and leaders in the field.
The project aims to provide high quality technical training, including in: weapons and explosive ordnance destruction, stockpile and ammunition management, weapons marking and armourer qualifications.
In the first two years of the Women Managing Weapons project 14 women have participated in a total of 26 trainings developing skills in areas such as weapons marking and registration and explosive ordnance disposal.
"By breaking stereotypes and encouraging more women to enter and excel in this area, it will not only promote gender equality, it will also enhance the overall quality and security of WAM practices."
Securing weapons, creating stabilty
The uncontrolled spread and availability of guns and ammunition exacerbates violence, and prolongs conflict. Unsecured weapons run the risk of illicit diversion, falling into the hands of terrorists or criminal gangs. Poor storage also increases the likelihood of unplanned explosions—for example in Beirut in August 2020 and the unplanned explosion at a military base in Equatorial Guinea in 2021—threatening the lives of local families.
HALO works with host-nations to develop comprehensive Weapons and Ammunition Management systems, build securement infrastructure, and provide professional development for security force personnel, reducing the human suffering caused by uncontrolled weapons supplies. The women trained under this programme will play a vital role in building a more secure future for affected communities.
“It can be difficult for women to receive training within the weapons and ammunition sector and the Women Managing Weapons project gives the opportunity to many who would not have the chance.”
