Unit 5 focuses on the role of small arms in the most pervasive forms of gender based violence (GBV). It provides a basic introduction to the concept of GBV and its root causes. GBV manifests itself in multiple forms around the world, but the use of small arms is particularly worrying in intimate partner violence (IPV) and femicide. The challenge of understanding and responding to the relationship between GBV and small arms is compounded by a partial evidence base. This unit explores the way in which small arms exacerbate the occurrence and lethality of GBV, noting different patterns around the world. It also presents some of the measures that can be taken to prevent and mitigate the risk of small arms being used to commit or facilitate GBV acts as part of a holistic and comprehensive approach to address the root causes of GBV.