Today, the UN is celebrating National Mine Awareness Day,
and with that distinction, has decided to dedicate this year’s event to women. The
United Nations states on its background page that it “advocates for the
universalization of existing legal frameworks and encourages Member States to
expand those regimes and develop new international instruments to protect
civilians from the scourges of landmines and explosive remnants of war. It
undertakes this work in collaboration with interested states, civil society,
mine action and international organizations”. On its dedication to women, (particularly
women of color it would seem) they had this to say “This year the 12 UN
entities working on mine action are promoting the work of women in mine action.
The efforts of women make mine action work more efficient and effective. Women
must be empowered in all societies to be a part of important activities,
including at all stages of mine action: from surveying mined areas, to deciding
where to begin clearance, to conducting mine risk education and post-clearance
development initiatives. “
I think that it is important to realize that the
intersection of this announcement and the idea of women of color standing idly
by as their country is blown up “being blown to pieces” by new media focus are
no accident. Through media like Twitter and Instagram I am now aware that women
in other countries (especially women of color in supposedly suppressive religious
countries) are serving their country in male dominated fields, and being proud
of the fact. In the videos women of color and men of color are getting
satisfactory representation in recognition of their support, and it is truly inspiring
to see the mini documentary (at the bottom of the page) highlighting people of
color as both intelligent and brave enough to stand up for a cause close to their hearts.
http://www.un.org/en/events/mineawarenessday/videos.shtml
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