Gender and Mine Action: Research and Media Coverage NEW

Overview of relevant research, as well as a media coverage relating to gender and mine action.

Relevant Research

PRIO Policy Brief: Gender Mainstreaming in Mine Action
Based on a background paper outlining experiences and challenges related to gender mainstreaming in mine action, summarizing the results of a short field study among mine action organizations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
PRIO Backgroud Paper: Gender Mainstreaming in Mine Action
Gemma Huckerby & Mugiho Takeshita: The Hidden Impact of Landmines - Why Gender Mainstreaming Matters in Mine Action
This article looks at the ways in which gender can determine the impact of mines and ERW as well as the outcomes and successes of operations to combat the mine/ERW scourge. It also considers concrete ways in which women can contribute to mine action. Lastly, the article presents some recent activities within the mine action sector designed to promote gender mainstreaming.
"Small Arm and Light Weapons and Lanmines" in Inclusive Security and Sustainable Peace: A Toolkit for Advocacy and Action
Inclusive Security, Sustainable Peace: A Toolkit for Advocacy and Action is a resource for women peace builders and practitioners to effectively promote peace and security. The Initiative for Inclusive Security and International Alert collaborated to produce the Toolkit, published in November 2004, which outlines the components of peace building from conflict prevention to post-conflict reconstruction, highlights the role that women play in each phase, and is directed to women peace builders and the policy community.
Bad Honnef Framework.
Developed in 1997 and review in 1999, these guidelines have been adopted by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Based on the experience of non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, the framework calls for mine action activities to be designed and implemented according three prinicples: participation, coherence and solidarity. The needs and aspirations of all people affected by mines must be considered and programmes require the appropriate involvement of those affected. The guidelines reccommend that Mine Risk Education be tailored to the age, gender and social group of beneficiaries.
"Landmines and Local Community Adaptation" by A. Benini, L. Moulton. and C.Conely. (2003). Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management. vol 10:2 pp. 82-94.
This study focuses on community strategies and adaptation of activities in mine-affected areas. The study notes that, although males constitute the majority of mine victims, women are at particular risk when performing traditional tasks such as collecting water, firewood and fodder in mined areas.
"Crossing the Divide: Landmines, Villagers and Organizations" by R. Bottomly. (2003). PRIO Report. Oslo, Norway: International Peace Research Institute 1/2003.
Case study of local village demining activities in Cambodia. Bottomly reports that men, more than women, are affected by landmine injuries - which occur mainly during 'livelihood' activities (farmng, foraging, etc) traditionally carried out by males. At the same time, war has left many households headed by women, and more women are undertaking traditional male activities, as well as participating in mine clearance. Bottomly cites one example of a woman working in mine clearance, in part to stop people from 'looking down on her' or 'cheating her'.
"The psychosocial effects of landmines in Jaffna" by H.R. Gunartnam, S. Gunartnam, and D. Somasundaram. (2003). Medicine, Conflict and Survival. 19(3).
This study finds that approximately 30% of mine victims in Sri Lanka are women. They note that female mine victims are more unlikely to marry.
"War and women" by P. Haynes. (2003). Zmag. 13 March 2003.
Hynes addresses the issue of gender and landmines, noting that when females are injured, they can lose the ability to feed their family, and are often abandoned by the husband and may be forced to beg on the streets or become a further victim to sexual exploitation.
"The effects of landmines on women in the Middle East" by M. Ruberry. (2003). Journal of Mine Action. 5(3).
Ruberry reports that women in the Middle East are the main nuturers and child rearers and traditionally restricted from taking work outside the home. These gender roles create special hardships for women with family members who have been injured or killed by mines. Women are often forced to turn to begging, as they are unable to work. In addition, female mine victims do not have access to health services, as laws and social norms forbid the examination of women by male doctors, and there are few female healthcare practioners.
"Gender perspectives on landmines" UN Department of Disarmament Affairs (2001). New York: DDA Briefing Note 5.

Media Coverage

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