Women and girls in Nepal are affected by the proliferation of small arms in multiple, deeply interlinked ways, ranging from physical insecurity and sexual violence to long-term psychological trauma, displacement, and economic marginalization. The circulation of firearms during and after the conflict has heightened their vulnerability, enabling acts of sexual violence, intimidation, and coercion, while also worsening existing gender inequalities that restrict their access to justice and rehabilitation.

Although Nepal has adopted several laws—such as the Arms and Ammunition Act, the Explosive Materials Control Act, and the National Penal Code—along with commitments to international frameworks like the UN PoA, and UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820, the protection of women and girls ultimately depends on the effective enforcement of these instruments. These provisions can protect women by regulating arms flows, preventing illicit trafficking, promoting responsible state behavior, and mandating women’s inclusion in peace and security processes, but their impact remains limited when porous borders, weak institutional capacity, and lack of political will undermine implementation.

In this context, civil society has a crucial role to play: monitoring and advocating for stronger enforcement of national arms-control laws; raising awareness about the gendered impacts of armed violence; supporting survivors with legal, psychosocial, and economic services; and pressuring the government to uphold international commitments and integrate women’s protection needs into security-sector reform. By amplifying women’s voices, fostering community resilience, and ensuring accountability for violations, civil society can help reduce the harm caused by small arms and create safer environments for women and girls in Nepal.