YesSmall arms and light weapons (SALW) are recognised as increasing the lethality, duration and
intensity of conflict with the effects of these weapons lasting for many years. The negative
impacts of SALW are often greatest for the most vulnerable groups, including children. There
is widespread international recognition of the negative effects of small arms on children, but
efforts to control small arms and those to protect children have rarely been linked.
The United Nations 2001 Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in
All Its Aspects and the UN Special Session on Children provide unique opportunities to
examine the complex issues surrounding small arms and their impact on children, in particular,
how the presence, proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons affect the
lives of children
