From 10 to 13 June 2025, officials from Colombia’s Judiciary and Public Prosecutor’s Office in Bogota participated in two specialized training courses focused on integrating gender perspectives into firearms-related crime investigations. The trainings were organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Judicial School of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, and the Directorate of Advanced Studies of the Office of the Attorney General.
The two courses, one designed for prosecutors and the other for judges, were developed in response to persistent shortcomings in crime scene management, evidence handling, legal strategy design and the influence of gender stereotypes. These gaps often result in insufficient admissible evidence, leading to impunity, particularly in cases of gender-based violence. The lack of gender-sensitive training among justice officials frequently hinders the proper identification and prosecution of crimes such as femicide and sexual violence.
Each course adopted a practical approach using hypothetical case studies. The course for prosecutors provided tools to identify key elements for building case theory and preparing for oral trial proceedings. The course for judges focused on incorporating a gender perspective into the analysis and evaluation of evidence, and on issuing rulings free from bias and stereotypes.
The trainings aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to recognize and effectively address violence against women, ensuring that critical evidence such as firearms and ammunition supports survivors’ claims and that victims’ human rights are upheld throughout the legal process. Notably, firearms are not only instruments of lethal violence in such contexts, but also tools of intimidation, coercion, and control used against women.
Addressing this issue ensures also that States align their work with global commitments to gender equality and peace. In this context, the trainings contribute directly to the achievements of Goals 5 and 16 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which aim to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and to reduce illicit arms trafficking respectively. It also supports the implementation of the UN Pact for the Future and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women (also known as Convention of Belém do Pará), reinforcing a comprehensive and coordinated approach to tackling gender-based violence and the misuse of weapons.
The courses were funded by the Government of Canada and forms part of UNLIREC’s ongoing efforts to support States in implementing UN General Assembly Resolution 65/69 on Women, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Control.
From 10 to 13 June 2025, a Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Workshop was held at Camp Blizzard in Antigua and Barbuda. The event, organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), brought together 20 officials from the Royal Antigua & Barbuda Police Force, the Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force, the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy, and the Antigua & Barbuda Forensic Services.
Brigadier Telbert Benjamin opened the workshop by encouraging participants to “absorb and assess” the information shared and apply it within their respective institutions. He emphasized the importance of adopting international best practices to combat illicit firearms trafficking and expressed appreciation to UNLIREC and the Government of Canada for supporting the initiative.
The workshop aimed to enhance national capacities in managing and securing stockpiles of weapons, ammunition, and explosives in line with international norms and standards.
It provided a comprehensive overview of best practices in physical security and stockpile management, marking and recordkeeping, and the destruction of firearms and ammunition. Through a mix of theoretical presentations and practical exercises, participants gained valuable insights into effective stockpile management, a critical component in reducing the risks of loss, theft and accidents, while also identifying obsolete or surplus weapons. These efforts contribute directly to national and regional peace and security.
At the closing ceremony, Her Excellency Brenda Wills, High Commissioner of Canada, and The Honorable Steadroy Benjamin, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour of Antigua and Barbuda, delivered remarks.
Speaking virtually, Her Excellency Wills stressed the importance of training and development in stockpile management to safeguard government-held firearms and ammunition. She reaffirmed Canada´s commitment to supporting Caribbean states in implementing the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
The Honorable Steadroy Benjamin, thanked the Government of Canada for its support and urged participants to apply the techniques and knowledge acquired to strengthen their institutions and enhance national security.
The workshop contributes to Goal 4 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap: “Systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals”. By reinforcing stockpile security and safety, the initiative supports broader regional efforts to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and crime in the Caribbean.
On 3 June 2025, the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), together with Honduras’ Ministry of Education, convened an interagency consultation to support the development of Honduras’s first protocol for the prevention and response to the presence of firearms in schools.
In addition to members of the Technical Working Group from the education sector and school police, the meeting brought together representatives from key national institutions, including the National Human Rights Commission (CONADEH), the National Institute for the Care of Juvenile Offenders (INAMI), the Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Families (SENAF), the Honduran Drug Observatory and civil society organizations, such as Casa-Alianza and Movimiento Global. Around 40 individuals attended the roundtable meeting.
The primary objective of the meeting was to present progress made in drafting the protocol. Key developments which were shared included the formation of a Technical Working Group led by the Ministry of Education, the launch of a nationwide survey for school administrators, and the development of a situational analysis on the presence of firearms in schools.
The working group has also welcomed a subject matter expert to provide technical support in drafting the protocol.
The second objective of the consultation was to foster collective reflection and gather diverse institutional perspectives on the risks and contributing factors associated with the presence of firearms in schools. Participants also examined existing tools and procedures which address such threats.
Beyond the updates presented by UNLIREC and the Ministry of Education on advances and next steps, the meeting featured a series of presentations on preventative initiatives. These included public awareness campaigns such as “Without Guns, More Peace” and “Disarmed and Educated” spearheaded by the United Nations Development Programme, the Community Police, and the civil society group Youth Against Violence. The School Police also shared their experience creating workshops and educational materials aimed at preventing and addressing rights violations affecting children and adolescents in school settings. This part of the meeting sparked a dynamic discussion about concrete actions to be included in the implementation of the Protocol.
The meeting concluded with the identification of new opportunities for coordination among participating entities, along with a roadmap outlining next steps. A draft of the Protocol is expected to be finalized and presented during a series of outreach workshops in September and October 2025.
This consultation is part of a broader set of activities led by UNLIREC and the Ministry of Education under the global SALIENT initiative (Saving-Lives Entity), implemented by UNLIREC and UNDP Honduras. The initiative aims to improve citizen security by strengthening arms control policies and frameworks to prevent armed violence across the country.
Kingston/Jamaica, 12 March 2025 – In a significant step towards improving school safety in Jamaica, representatives from national institutions and organizations gathered at the Planning Institute of Jamaica for a National Stakeholder’s Forum. The forum is a key step in the development of the “National Schools Firearms Management and Response Protocol: A Comprehensive Guide to Preventing, Managing, and Responding to Firearm-Related Incidents in Schools,” an initiative jointly led by Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI) with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).
The primary purpose of the National Stakeholders’ Forum was to gather valuable feedback on the first draft of the Protocol, which aims to provide a national framework for preventing, managing, and responding to incidents involving firearms in educational settings across Jamaica.
A total of 36 representatives – including 20 women – participated in the forum, representing a broad spectrum of national institutions. These included the MOESYI, the Ministry of National Security, the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the National Parenting Support Commission, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors in Education (JAGCE) and the Jamaican Psychological Society, among others.
The Protocol is being developed as part of the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) initiative in Jamaica, which seeks to tackle armed violence and illicit small arms within a broader framework of people-centred security and sustainable development.
A Collaborative Effort
In the months ahead, MOESYI and UNLIREC will continue to work closely with these stakeholders to refine the Protocol, incorporating feedback from senior leadership. The aim is to finalize the document for formal adoption and ensure its implementation across Jamaica’s education system.
The development of the Protocol follows the 2023 Guidelines for the Development of Protocols to Tackle the Presence and Use of Firearms in Schools. Over the course of 2024 and into 2025, UNLIREC, in partnership with MOESYI, facilitated a series of consultations with key national stakeholders, offering expert guidance throughout the process and supported in the establishment of a multistakeholder technical working group to oversee and guide the drafting of the Protocol.
The Protocol is designed to improve coordination, institutional responses, and preventive measures at all levels of Jamaica’s education system, ensuring a safer and more supportive environment for students and educators alike.
The Protocol’s Objectives: A Comprehensive Guide for Prevention, Management, and Response
The “National Schools Firearms Management and Response Protocol: A Comprehensive Guide to Preventing, Managing, and Responding to Firearm-Related Incidents in Schools” serves as a detailed framework for addressing firearm-related incidents within educational institutions across Jamaica. Aligned with international best practices, national legislation, and established school safety policies, this Protocol outlines standardized procedures to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and school communities.
In light of the increasing prevalence of firearm-related incidents in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean region, this Protocol aims to equip school administrators, teachers, and security personnel with structured intervention strategies to prevent firearm threats, de-escalate crises, and support post-incident recovery efforts.
The specific objectives of the Protocol include:
Establishing Clear and Effective Response Mechanisms. Providing structured, standardized procedures for effectively managing firearm-related incidents in schools.
Strengthening Preventative and Risk Reduction Measures. Implementing early detection mechanisms and enhanced security protocols to prevent the presence and misuse of firearms within schools.
Enhancing Stakeholders Coordination. Establishing reporting mechanisms, crisis communication strategies, and fostering collaborative partnerships across different sectors to improve overall response efforts.
Addressing the Psychological and Social Impact of Firearm Incidents: Prioritizing post-incident recovery strategies, including access to counselling, trauma-informed care training for teachers, peer support initiatives, and reintegration programmes for affected students.
Promoting a Culture of Non-Violence and Conflict Resolution: Beyond immediate response and prevention, the Protocol seeks to reduce the normalisation of violence and improve overall school safety by fostering a culture of peace, non-violence, and responsible conflict resolution within school communities.
From 11 to 14 March 2025, 26 officials from the Royal Grenada Police Force and His Majesty’s Prison participated in the virtual Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Workshop, organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).
Through presentations and practical exercises, participants were introduced to international standards and best practices in physical security and stockpile management, marking and recordkeeping, and firearms and ammunition destruction procedures. Effective stockpile management not only reduces the risk of loss, theft and accidents but also helps to identify obsolete or surplus weapons, contributing to overall peace and security.
The workshop aimed to enhance national capacities in managing and securing stockpiles of weapons, ammunition, and explosives in accordance with international norms and standards. The training combined theoretical lectures, practical exercises, and group discussions covering key aspects of PSSM.
The workshop is part of the technical assistance provided by UNLIREC under the project “Women, Youth And Disarmament and The Caribbean Firearms Roadmap”, funded by the Government of Canada. It supports national efforts to prevent the diversion of conventional weapons and ammunition and strengthen law enforcement capacities in securing stockpile facilities.
The workshop contributes to Goal 4 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap: “Systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals”. By reinforcing stockpile security and safety, the initiative supports regional efforts to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and crime in the Caribbean.
In a context where school safety is threatened by the presence of firearms and other forms of violence, Honduras is taking decisive steps to protect its educational spaces.
On 18 February 2025, in Tegucigalpa, authorities and technical experts from the Ministry of Education and the Honduran School Police met to begin drafting the country´s first Protocol to Prevent and Respond to the Presence of Firearms in Schools. This initiative is supported by the United Nations Regional Center for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).
The participants in the meeting form part of the Technical Working Team responsible for developing the protocol, which is expected to be finalized in 2025. During the meeting, the team reviewed the Terms of Reference that will guide its operation, responsibilities and functions. They also discussed the first activities to be included in the Work Plan, including:
Designing consultation and data collection tools to support a situational diagnosis;
Mapping existing protocols in the region;
Identifying and involving other institutions undertaking relevant work on the issue.
Dates were also agreed upon for upcoming meetings of the Technical Team, and key deadlines were set to ensure progress in the development of the protocol.
The meeting included a practical group exercise aimed at encouraging reflection and discussion on possible responses in cases involving the discovery or possession of firearms in schools. Based on the analysis of a real-life case, participants identified risk levels, characterized the situation, and proposed response routes. This exercise laid the groundwork for the protocol’s development, creating a valuable and constructive space for exchange.
The meeting is part of a series of activities promoted by UNLIREC and the Ministry of Education of Honduran under the SALIENT initiative (The Savings-Lives Entity), implemented by UNLIREC and UNDP Honduras. The initiative aims strengthen citizen security through effective arms control policies and frameworks for preventing armed violence in Honduras.
