Breaking barriers: a woman’s journey in mine action

"Nothing is more challenging than working to remove explosive ordnance, except perhaps challenging societal norms as a woman in a male-dominated sector," says Noor Munther, an Iraqi woman working in mine action. Ms. Munther has a law degree. Instead of pursuing a career in law after graduation, she embarked on a journey in the mine action sector, motivated and inspired to break barriers in a field traditionally led and managed by men. 

She challenged the local traditions to break gender stereotypes. Munther joined an explosive ordnance risk education team nine years ago with an international mine action NGO. Since then, she has sharpened her skills and experience to deliver knowledge and life-saving messages to educate impacted communities and children about the hazards of explosive ordnance and promote safety measures. 

She challenged herself to move to a clearance team. She participated in non-technical surveys and clearance activities and studied more about mine action and received Level 1 and 2 certifications in explosive ordnance disposal through training courses provided by UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq. This enabled her to be eligible to compete for Level 3 training at the explosive ordnance disposal training school in Baghdad, after which she can finally become a certified team leader. 

Munther then became a team leader in 2023, working with UNMAS Iraq’s implementing partner, Shareteah Humanitarian Organization in Sinjar town. She is now leading a team of five, including four deminers and one medical specialist. She acknowledges the challenges faced by women in the mine action sector, particularly in gaining community acceptance. Despite initial resistance, she has observed a positive shift in recent years, as communities now appreciate the vital work being done by women operators. 

Now, in her ninth year in mine action, she is motivated to achieve Level 4 at the explosive ordnance disposal training school. Noor Munther continues to set an example as a role model for other women in the mine action sector. Her story inspires within the sector and echoes the broader narrative of women challenging norms in traditionally male-dominated fields.