United to win: Canada backs project to train public in mine safety and empower women sappers in Ukraine

Thanks to the support from the Government of Canada, the Association of Sappers of Ukraine (ASU) has launched a project to provide mine safety training to the general population.

Rubryka informs about this.

In Ukraine, particularly in the de-occupied regions, explosive objects still pose a danger to the local population. For this reason, educating the public on properly handling the discovery of landmines is crucial.

Additionally, the project addresses the crucial issue of inadequate representation of women in leadership positions within demining organizations. It will empower female sappers to advance their professional growth and assume leadership positions.

Training of the population on mine safety

ASU offers free training for residents of the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Donetsk regions to educate them about the dangers of explosive materials. In-person seminars led by authorized instructors will cover crucial guidelines on how to handle landmines and unexploded ordnance. The goal is to reach 5,400 participants.

To participate, individuals must complete an application on the ASU website. An adult responsible for organizing a group of 15-35 individuals and providing suitable facilities and technical equipment can complete the application.

Career development of women sappers

In addition, as part of the project, ten female sappers from the ASU will undergo a 5-week training at the top sapper school in Kosovo to enhance their qualifications. The training will primarily focus on honing their leadership abilities and preparing them for managerial positions. Upon completing the course, they will be equipped to take on managerial roles within the ASU.

Tymur Pistriuha, chairman of the board of the Association of Sappers of Ukraine, notes:

"The cooperation of the Association of Sappers of Ukraine with the government of Canada is a historic moment for our organization and Ukraine as a whole. This is the first time that support from other countries in the field of mine action comes directly to the Ukrainian operator and not to international organizations. This shows that our services are of high quality and we are trusted. We hope that this partnership will continue to expand."

This project holds significant importance in improving the safety of the Ukrainian population and advancing the careers of female sappers.

Training will not only help reduce risks from explosive devices such as unexploded ordnance and landmines but also create new leaders who will change mine action for the better.

For reference:

The Association of Sappers of Ukraine (ASU) is an officially certified organization specializing in mine countermeasures. They are dedicated to humanitarian demining efforts and educating the public on mine safety.

It should be noted that Ukraine recently presented a project called "Use of Service Dogs for Demining in Ukraine." This project aims to create advanced methods for detecting explosive devices, utilizing both female workers and trained dogs.

In addition, a new educational series has been created on the Diia.Education platform as part of the "Notice the Changes" information campaign, which will help raise Ukrainians' awareness of explosive objects.

Read about demining innovations, international partnerships, and upcoming prospects in Rubryka's article "Demining Ukraine: overcoming challenges through innovation and community action."