100 Women in Demining in Angola

Angola’s three decades of civil war left behind a devastating legacy of landmines and unexploded bombs, affecting the everyday life of thousands of people. Although men, women, boys and girls were all impacted in different ways, a report by the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women concluded that women were the most affected by malnutrition, poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.

In 2017, HALO launched a unique project in Angola to train and employ all-female demining teams, creating a space for women’s empowerment whilst clearing landmines and making land safe. In 2021, the project recruited its 100th member when a further 41 women passed their training and three new all-female demining sections began work in Benguela. HALO Angola will continue to recruit and train more female staff over the coming months and years, seeing the ‘100 Women in Demining’ project as a milestone rather than a finish line.