undervalued. under resourced. under threat.

The global backlash against gender equality and women’s rights had put many of the hard-fought gains for women’s and youth’s meaningful participation in peace and security in jeopardy.

How, then, could the operationalization of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda pillars in mine action—a specialized protection activity that cut across all spheres of humanitarian action—support transformative change?

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), JRNY Consulting, and the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) hosted an engaging and interactive session that highlighted the intersections, opportunities, and barriers to women and youth, peace and security in inclusive mine action operations and employment.

Drawing on research conducted in three humanitarian contexts, Colombia, Somalia, and Ukraine, the session showcased evidence-based practices, persistent challenges, and lessons learned in advancing gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in mine action responses.

The session also explored how good practices could be applied to broader peace and security efforts—and vice versa.