23 jun Press release
Members of Parliaments gather for peace-building and armed violence prevention in Africa
The Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons (PFSALW) is hosting the regional webinar “Connecting the Dots: Enhancing implementation of the UN PoA and the Women, Peace & Security and 2030 Agendas – through increased parliamentary engagement and action in international processes” on June 24, 2021.
The webinar seeks to enhance the implementation 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 (UN PoA) and the 2030 Agenda in relation to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) by strengthening parliamentary action through capacity-building, policy-shaping and awareness-raising. Parliamentarians, especially women parliamentarians, are targeted as vital actors given their legislative, oversight and awareness-raising roles.
The webinar has an African focus with key parliamentarians from the region, with focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Niger, Mali and Tanzania. Parliamentary recommendations on actions will be identified as part of the preparation for the Seventh Biennial Meeting of States (BMS7) on the UN PoA taking place on 26-30 July 2021, as well as to prepare for a subsequent physical seminar in the region. Conclusions from the webinar will be presented at PFSALW’s side event on July 29 at the side-lines of BMS7.
“Apart from causing injury and loss of life, armed violence has severe effects on sustainable development, good governance and contributes to the persistence of armed conflict. Combined with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, concerted efforts in Africa are vital to prevent Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)- related violence.” says Ms Karin Olofsson, Secretary General of PFSALW.
“As parliamentarians we are crucial actors for tackling the uncontrolled proliferation of SALW, through our legislative, over-sight and awareness-raising functions” states Hon. Dr Raphael Chegeni, Member of Parliament in Tanzania and Vice-President of PFSALW.
