Gender-Inclusive Arms Control: Advancing Disarmament Efforts in the Sahel and Horn of Africa

Abstract

Arms control plays a central role in international security by regulating the manufacture, acquisition, and circulation of weapons. However, conventional discussions on arms regulation often ignore gender-specific impacts, despite obvious evidence that armed conflict excessively affects women and marginalised groups. In countries such as the Sahel and Horn of Africa, where armed conflict, bad governance, and insurgency are prevalent, understanding the connection between gender and arms control is important. The study used a qualitative approach, and the data were sourced through secondary sources, including academic literature, government publications, historical and online documents, to explore existing arms control frameworks, highlighting gender-related gaps and advocating for more inclusive policies. Findings show that current arms control mechanisms fail to integrate gender-sensitive approaches, thereby compromising their overall effectiveness. Even though armed violence has a significant impact on women, they are still underrepresented in decision-making. The traditional arms control initiatives mostly overlook the social and security aspects that affect different genders in favour of concentrating mainly on regulations governing the trade and stockpiling of weapons. The effectiveness of the disarmament efforts is further hampered by the fact that most of international agreements frequently lack legally binding clauses that address gender disparities in security initiatives. This study recommended strengthening international treaties with gender-sensitive provisions, integrating gender-disaggregated data into policymaking, and increasing women’s involvement in security discussions as ways to address these deficiencies. Establishing training programs and quotas for women in security discussions will help guarantee their voices are included in peacebuilding. By integrating the gender-sensitive approaches to arms control, policymakers should foster more inclusive and sustainable disarmament strategies. Stressing the role of women in security efforts will lead to long-term peace and stability in conflict-prone regions.