WILPF Statement to CEDAW Committee's Review of Spain - 61st Session - Creating an International Gender and Peace Agenda: Transnational Companies, Weapons and VAW

In this globalized world, human rights violations are cross-bordering and they cannot be successfully addressed if the response does not take into account this transnational nature. As a consequence, the States and their governments have today extraterritorial obligations.

IMPACT OF ARMS TRANSFERS ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Spain is one of the major arms exporters in the world (it ranks seventh among the largest sellers of stockpiles) and Spanish arms exports have grown exponentially in the last decade as part of a policy of promotion for these types of sales by the Spanish Government. As for small and light weapons, weapons that have a particular impact on women, Spain ranks 11th among major exporters.