Women on the frontline: meet the Sudanese women saving lives through mine action

Across Sudan, explosive remnants of war continue to shape daily life, restricting movement, endangering children, and preventing families from returning safely to their homes. In this challenging environment, women  are actively confronting the risk that explosive ordnance poses to their families and communities by joining mine action organisations. As deminers, Community Liaison Officers (CLOs), and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) trainers, Sudanese women are reshaping mine action through leadership, care, and deep community engagement.

Choosing to act: turning war and displacement into purpose

For many women working in mine action, the decision to join the sector is deeply personal. Rehab Ali Kabo Rahma, originally from South Kordofan, entered mine action after being displaced and witnessing the impact of conflict on her community. With a degree in economics, she chose to join the mine action sector to protect civilians from explosive hazards through EORE and community work. “It was a turning point in my life as I saw how I could support and serve my community.” Rehab works now as a Community Liaison Officer, with DRC/NUMAD.

Similarly, Huda Abdelrazig Adam, an agriculture engineer from Blue Nile, was motivated by what she saw while working in rural communities. Children injured by unexploded ordnance, families afraid to farm or fetch water, and entire villages living in fear pushed her to pursue demining. After completing professional training, she now works as a female deminer with DRC/NUMAD, contributing directly to clearance operations and encouraging other women to join the field.

Building trust where it matters most

Women’s roles in mine action extend beyond clearance tasks. As Community Liaison Officers, women often serve as the bridge between operational teams and affected populations. Hiba Al Emam Omer Al Imam, raised in South Kordofan during conflict, joined mine action after her law degree. Her work with DRC/NUMAD focuses on coordination with communities, delivering awareness sessions, and ensuring that people understand both risks and safety measures. Through her engagement, she helps communities protect themselves while building confidence in mine action teams.

Esra, Nora, and Nariman work as Female Community Liaison Officers with JASMAR. They operate in Karthoum: with their teams they clear locations used by United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations, respond to community callouts and deliver EORE, especially in schools. “When I see children learning and asking questions, I feel proud.” says Nora.

Their presence helps communities feel reassured and respected, particularly when fear and uncertainty are high. Narriman told us: “Farmers were afraid to return to their land because of suspected contamination. It is not only about removing explosives, it is about giving people confidence to live again.”  

Explosive Ordnance Education Risk Education: led by women, rooted in community

EORE is most effective when it is trusted—and women have proven central to that trust. Ammona Ali Dirar has worked in EORE with Friends of Peace and Development Organization (FPDO) since 2012, focusing on women and children in IDP camps and host communities. She emphasizes that when women understand explosive risks, they become protectors not only of themselves, but of entire households. Her work has helped translate awareness into real-life action, including children preventing others from touching dangerous objects.

Likewise, Fathia Ahmed Abdelazim Bashir, an EORE trainer since 2017, sees her role as both protective and empowering. The trust she built with women in camps and communities, has promoted safer behaviours, improved reporting of hazards, and encouraged women to share life-saving information with neighbours and family members. For her, awareness is not abstract—it is a tool communities use to protect themselves every day. Fathia told us: “A defining moment came when a woman applied the awareness messages to prevent others from entering unsafe homes and shared safety information with her family and neighbours—demonstrating that awareness had translated into life-saving action.”

Redefining what leadership looks like

Across these stories, a shared theme emerges: women in mine action are not exceptions, they are leaders. Whether working in minefields, with clearance teams, or teaching children how to stay safe, they demonstrate professionalism, resilience, and authority. Their colleagues recognize them as equal members of operational teams, and communities increasingly see women as credible leaders in safety and protection.

These women also look forward. Many express a desire to take on greater responsibility, pursue leadership roles, or encourage other women to follow the same path. Their presence challenges long-held stereotypes and shows that mine action is not defined by gender, but by skill, commitment, and purpose.

A call to action: more women, safer communities

The experiences of Sudanese women in mine action send a clear message: women’s participation saves lives. Their ability to connect with communities, lead awareness efforts, and operate in high-risk environments makes mine action stronger, more inclusive, and more effective.

We share Huda’s call to her sisters in Sudan: “Do not hesitate to join organizations working in humanitarian mine action - together we can defeat these hazards and make our beloved country Sudan safer place”.