CIDA Photo: Roger LeMoyne

-- abducted 19-year-old soldier, Palaro District, northern Uganda

Light weapons include revolvers, pistols, assault rifles, sub-machine guns, grenades, landmines and light machine guns. It is estimated that there are one half billion light weapons being used in conflicts around the world, or 1 for every 12 people on the planet.

Light weapons prolong conflicts, create greater suffering, and make reconstruction more difficult. Because they are light and easy to use, light weapons make it easy to turn children into soldiers: even a 10-year old can fire an assault rifle. Light weapons kill thousands of children every year, but millions more suffer indirectly because of their use. Children who have been injured by light weapons or have witnessed small arms attacks, suffer emotional trauma. This trauma causes delayed development, learning difficulties, depression and, in the worst cases, suicide.

In areas where light weapons are in use, children are vulnerable to attack or military recruitment while walking to school. In such situations, many children - especially girls - are kept out of school, and don't get the education they should. Adults are afraid of armed violence, too. Farmers are afraid to tend their fields or take their harvest to market. Parents are afraid to go out for food, fuel and water. Because there is less food and fewer supplies, prices go up, and few people can afford to buy what they need. When this happens, children may die of hunger or become weak and contract diseases. Light weapons also make it dangerous for humanitarian workers to help, and may force them to pull out, leaving children and their families to suffer.

• In 1999, nearly 400 companies in 64 countries were manufacturing light weapons. This is a 20% increase in the number of countries making such weapons since the mid-1990s.
• At least 23 developing countries are also producing small arms, and 13 of those countries are exporting them.
• Groups in several nations have the ability to produce simple light weapons on their own.
• The legal trade in small weapons is estimated to be worth $6 billion, while the illegal trade is valued at somewhere between $2 and $10 billion.

1. The sale and trade of small arms should be halted in situations where civilians are targeted, where human rights are violated, and where children are recruited as soldiers. Anyone who sells arms in such situations should be arrested and prosecuted.
2. Governments and international organizations should make laws to control both the legal and illegal production, trade and stockpiling of small arms.
3. All peace agreements should include agreements to dispose of weapons and ammunition. These agreements should also include plans to help soldiers including child soldiers return to society.
4. Countries, United Nations agencies and societies should promote peace through education about the effects of small arms and light weapons.