In 2017,?Mariah joined the UNMAS?team in?Adado, Somalia.?Today, she serves her community by delivering?explosive ordnance?risk education sessions at public schools, madrassas and women’s gatherings.?These venues are ideal for reaching children, who are most vulnerable to?accidents,?and?women, who are very likely to come across explosive hazards during their day-to-day activities.?
“One of my main objectives when joining the UNMAS team was to sensitize the local people in?Adado?district - who were also my neighbors and friends -?to?the dangers posed by?explosive?ordnance and?the importance?of sharing?information?with local?authorities and?clearance?entities, such as UNMAS,”?explained?Mariah.?
In?Adado?UNMAS?mobilized more than 200 local personnel?like?Mariah opening?doors for the employment of youth and women, harnessing?their potential?to?contribute?to the peace, stability and development?of?their?country.?
Since?she started?work,?Mariah has provided at least 75 risk education sessions to?affected?populations.?She teaches women and?children ways to avoid risk-taking?in their daily routines.?As a result, in?the last 12 months there hasn’t been?a single?accident?related?to landmines or?explosive?ordnance.?
Not only does Mariah play a?critical?role?in ensuring the safety of?her?community, but she?is?also?an?example?of?the increasing inclusion of women in?mine?action?work.??
Mariah, and many other women like her, are breaking the stereotypes related to male dominance in Somalia’s security sector. By sharing her knowledge and skills with other girls, women and youth, Mariah empowers them with the same mindset and devotion, and lays a strong foundation for the achievement of sustainable development goals in the areas of gender equality, while?also?saving lives in Somalia.?
