It is often said that women hold up half the sky. This year on the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance, we focus on the important role of women in safeguarding the earth.
Women worldwide are vital to our drive to clear landmines and protect against their indiscriminate effects, teaching people how to live safely in contaminated areas, assisting victims, clearing landmines and disposing of explosive ordnance.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by landmines. They have different needs when it comes to education about risks. And they may face greater challenges when a family member is killed or injured. That is why the United Nations endeavours to listen to the views of women in our mine action work, incorporate their ideas and empower them to contribute even more to our global campaign.
Women can drive progress towards the central goals of mine action, which aims to increase security, rebuild communities, reclaim land and end the looming fear caused by explosive remnants of war. Women can also amplify the benefits of this work as children return to school, economic activity revives and lives and livelihoods are saved through mine action work.
I call for greater measures to involve more women at higher levels in mine action. Governments should do more to address gender in their mine action programmes and through their implementation of the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention.
Fifteen years after it entered into force, I am encouraged that 161 States are now bound by this Convention and I call on all others to follow suit. In this effort, we can take inspiration from the rapid pace of new States that are joining the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and other international instruments aimed at the elimination of threats caused by explosive remnants of war.
The United Nations has a proud record of helping millions of people in mine-affected countries. On this International Day, let us resolve to mobilize the resources, partners and resolve we need to further advance our vision of a planet free from mines.
Ban Ki-moon.
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| The Strategies of the united nations on mine action 2013-2018 |
United Nations Mine Action Service and Critical Mass observe International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action with a one-day interactive exhibit at New Museum
New York, NY - April 4, 2014 – For most New Yorkers, landmines are a distant danger they will never know or experience. But for millions, landmines are a daily and crippling threat. On April 4th, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) observes the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action by sharing an interactive exhibit to help New Yorkers understand just a hint of that fear.
The exhibit, entitled “Sweeper,” is a multi-sensory experience that combines visual, audio, physical, mobile and interactive installation elements. To experience the Sweeper exhibit, visitors need to download the Sweeper mobile app available at www.getsweeper.com. Using Apple's iBeacon technology, Sweeper provides an audio tour guide and beacons to simulate the experience of walking through a minefield. The exhibit also features poignant portraits of mine victims by renowned photographer Marco Grob, as well as educational and donation resources from UNMAS. Together, this experience is designed to bring awareness to the urgent need for landmine assistance.
On April 4, an invitation-only reception will kick off the one-day only exhibition with remarks from UNMAS Director Agnès Marcaillou, UN Japanese Ambassador Kazuyoski Umemoto, and Critical Mass CEO Dianne Wilkins, followed by guided tours through the exhibit. From 11am to 3pm that day, Sweeper will be open to guests by registration.
Dianne Wilkins, CEO of Critical Mass said, “At Critical Mass, we believe that technology should be used to make lives better – not worse -- around the world. We created Sweeper for UNMAS to raise awareness for efforts to rid the world of technologies that exist solely to cause destruction. We are anxious to see how people react to the experience and come together for #NoMoreMines.”
About Critical Mass
Critical Mass (www.criticalmass.com) is a global digital agency that helps clients deliver a cumulative customer experience across messages, devices, touch points, and time. Founded in 1996, Critical Mass has 8 full-service offices, operating across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Critical Mass is a part of Diversified Agency Services, a division of Omnicom Group Inc.
Additional information
Learn more: www.unmas.org
Experience: Download Sweeper from www.getsweeper.com and visit New Museum on April 4 only from 11-3pm.
Support: Donate $5 to UNMAS by texting DEMINE to 27722 and then reply YES to the confirmation text.
Share: #NoMoreMines
UNMAS
Lee Woodyear, Public Affairs Officer
woodyear@un.org
+1 917 367 0200
Mobile: + 1 646 416 1418
Critical Mass:
Katy Zack, Director of Communications
katyz@criticalmass.com
+1 212 801 8306
Mobile: +1 646 895 3288
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