Empowering women
Clearing landmines is not for the faint-hearted, but it can be rewarding to make your local community safe. Many incredible women around the world have stepped up to the challenge and taken on roles as deminers, supervisors, paramedics, mechanics or translators for HALO. The local women we employ often become agents of change in their own communities. Their participation in mine action, newfound skills and income all support economic justice within their communities.
Women at HALO
Across HALO's workforce, 95% of our staff come from the communities we serve and an increasing number are women. We're committed to mine action and arms control that is inclusive, effective and reflective of the diverse communities we serve. Our work is in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
- In Angola, 45% of our overall workforce are women, rising to 56% among operational staff.
- A survey of HALO staff in Zimbabwe found almost 90% of women employees were the primary earner, supporting an average of eight other family members.
- In Somaliland, almost 90% of our women staff are the family's main breadwinner, but they spend 60% of their income on childcare-related expenses.
- In Iraq, women face significant challenges in gaining stable employment after years of conflict, displacement, and social attitudes about women's role in society. Childcare responsibilities tend to fall disproportionately on women.
Newly-trained HALO Iraq staff
Women managing weapons
Completing training in El Salvador
Women’s empowerment is central to HALO’s weapons and ammunition management (WAM) programme.
Poorly managed weapons pose serious risks to the safety and security of communities. Inclusive approaches deliver better results.
HALO embeds gender equality into weapons management by promoting women’s participation in technical, operational, and leadership roles. This provides access to training and mentorship, creating pathways for women to influence security policy.
Around 50% of our weapons management project managers around the world are women.
Support for mothers
Childcare and related expenses are one of the major obstacles to women’s meaningful participation in mine action. We've taken several steps to provide support for mothers who work for HALO:
- Childcare stipends so mothers with young children have the opportunity to return to work
- The provision of baby boxes for new mothers, including essentials such as, baby clothes, mosquito nets, nappies, blankets and hygiene supplies
- School supplies boxes with uniform, school bag, stationery supplies and oral hygiene essentials
Baby boxes for new mums
"I was the first female mech operator in HALO Sri Lanka. Since I started, other women have also become operators. I am proud of this and like to think I inspired them. You must be strong to be an operator. I try to encourage more women to come forward and take on the challenge."
Podcast: Women in demining
JJ Chalmers
Our Beyond Bombs podcast is hosted by veteran and broadcaster, JJ Chalmers.
HALO has always employed women from war-torn countries to clear their own communities. But how do bombs and conflict affect women differently?
In this podcast episode, JJ talks to campaigner Camilla Thurlow about her experience working alongside HALO's women deminers in Cambodia and Zimbabwe. We also hear from Noku Masiyanise from HALO Zimbabwe. She talks about the challenges faced by rural women in her country and how HALO is providing unique opportunities for them.
