In the month of August 2011, EASSI completed her second month-long training on the gender dimension of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) that targeted the countries of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Southern Sudan. Six of the 8 beneficiaries of this year’s training  were drawn from the five EAC Focal Points on Small Arms which are government institutions mandated to implement programmes aimed at combating illicit proliferation of SALW. The participants were nominated by the respective NFP secretariats in consultation with the EAC office on Peace and Security. The other two participants from Ethiopia and Southern Sudan were recommended for the training on grounds that the two countries also have ongoing SALW issues.

The objectives of the training were to enable participants: appreciate the concept and scope of gender mainstreaming in SALW Programs; recognize that SALW interventions can be more effective if they integrate a gender perspective; develop strategies that ensure that integration of gender dimensions take place in their various levels of SALW interventions;  and develop action plans for the way forward in mainstreaming gender into SALW programs.

This year, on completion of their own training, the Institute's participants conducted a skills transfer training in Kapchorwa district in Uganda after the their training. The training was carried out to enhance the capacity of DTF members in Gender & SALW mainstreaming. The replica training - organized by the Uganda National Focal Point secretariat with the support from EASSI - was a follow up on the 2011 training of NFP representatives from the 5 EAC Partner states, Southern Sudan and Ethiopia on Gender and SALW mainstreaming. During the training, the 2011 SALW Institute Participants applied their acquired knowledge and skills to unpack Gender & SALW mainstreaming concepts to the DTF members in Kapchorwa. The objectives of the training were largely achieved due to adequate preparations that were made prior to traveling to Kapchorwa. It was also an opportunity for participants to interact and share their experiences with the District Task Force of the NFP in the Kapchorwa  region on implementation of SALW programs.

From Kapchora to country level replica trainings

The 2011 Participants, having returned to their respective countries, are now implementing replica trainings for the National Focal Points on Small Arms in the EAC.

Uganda  conducted the above training for NFP staff and steering committee members on 3rd October 2011 while Kenya will conduct one 4th October 2011. Rwanda, on the other hand will conduct the training on 15th October 2011. Tanzania is also expected to implement the replica training in October/November, targeting 367 participants.

So far 2 EASSI has trained 2 participants from each Partner states in the EAC and this has enhanced the capacity of NFP secretariats to mainstream Gender in SALW work and ensuring Gender sensitive National Acton Plans.