After a month-long training, 28 young Sudanese women graduated in basic humanitarian demining. The graduation ceremony on 23 December was organized by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the National Mine Action Center (NMAC) of Sudan, at the training center in Khartoum.
The successful completion of the training is an unprecedented achievement for both mine action and Sudan. Previously, there was only one female deminer in the country.
After demonstrating their newly acquired skills, the young women were excited to receive their certificates in the presence of Deputy Special Representative/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator Khardiata Lo’Ndiaye and representatives of UNMAS and NMAC.
“This ceremony marks a special milestone not only for mine action, which is progressively including more women in its family, but also for the ongoing peace and peacebuilding processes in Sudan,” Lo’Ndiaye said to the young women.
“As highlighted in the Juba Peace Agreement and the UNITAMS mandate, fighting the enduring impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war is an integral part of the peace process in Sudan. As deminers, your work will constitute a critical part of the peacebuilding work of your country”, she added, congratulating the graduates.
According to the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for 2022, over half of those affected by mine contamination are women. As the first group of female deminers, the graduates are joining a force of powerful Sudanese women who are fighting for their rights every day and paving the road to gender-inclusive peace.
“Demining is extremely rewarding but also perilous work," said Sediq Rashid, Chief of the Mine Action Programme in Sudan. "I highly admire your courage and commitment...I am committed to continuing the efforts to train more female deminers and truly hope many more will follow your footsteps.”
