JICA encourages women’s participation and leadership in peacebuilding.
Landmine and UXO countermeasures are work that puts lives at risk.
Did you know that women have been playing an increasingly active role in this field in recent years?
JICA is providing support for women working in mine and UXO clearance sites to create an environment where they can work safely and fully demonstrate their abilities.
The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) needs to formulate an action plan to promote women’s activities to ensure safe, accurate, and efficient demining, and JICA invited female employees working at CMAC to Japan for training in order to support their efforts. On March 6, before International Women’s Day (March 8), JICA provided protective clothing for women to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) to improve the safety and work efficiency of female deminers.
‘Women’s accessibility’ leads to more efficient and safer mine countermeasures
CMAC staff exchanging views on the role of women in the organization
The training for the Cambodia Mine Action Center (CMAC), held from February 25 to March 7, was attended mainly by female staff members in various capacities, from field removal workers to headquarters personnel (10 female and 2 male staff members).
In Tokyo, they visited the training facility for female Self Defense Force officers at the Self Defense Force Asaka Camp, attended a lecture at the Ministry of Defense, and learned about the role of women in disaster and reconstruction efforts. In Fukuoka Prefecture, the participants discussed the theme of women’s leadership and visited a construction site where efforts are being made to create an environment conducive to women’s work.
Group photo with the Women’s Self-Defense Force Education Corps at the Self-Defense Force Asaka Camp
In light of the work of removal workers, who are often on the move, there was a frank exchange of opinions on issues such as the benefit structure related to childbirth and childcare, and “what kind of organization allows women to continue working.
The ease of working for women is not an individual issue, but a key to enhancing the capabilities of the entire organization – this common understanding was fostered through the training. It is hoped that this training will lead to CMAC’s efforts to promote the success of female employees.
Supporting the safety and success of women removalists in Ukraine
Demining is a task that requires concentration, judgment, and physical exertion.
Equipment that does not fit the body takes away concentration and increases the risk of accidents.
The women’s protective clothing provided this time is designed to fit women’s body shapes and greatly improves the safety and work efficiency of female employees working at dangerous sites.
Ceremony held in Kieu
The March 6 ceremony for the provision of protective clothing for women and other items was held in the presence of Ukrainian government officials, including Danik, Director General of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU). Director Danik said, “We are grateful for the continuous support from Japan. The protective clothing will contribute to improving the safety of our female employees”.
The SESU female staff member in charge of promoting women’s participation stated, “The support from JICA is an encouragement to all women involved in mine action.
JICA is not only providing equipment, but also training and institutional support to create an environment in which these women can focus on their work with peace of mind and demonstrate their abilities.
SESU female staff wearing provided women’s protective clothing
On International Women’s Day
JICA will continue its efforts to maximize the power of women working in the field of peacebuilding, including mine action.
(Note: Women, Peace, and Security is an effort to achieve sustainable peace through the participation and leadership of women in peacebuilding and disaster recovery processes. Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security since 2015.
© Source JICA