Integrating Gender and Diversity in Mine Action Strategies
Analysis of gender inclusion in mine action, based on "Getting ready for Vientiane: A dialogue with the Convention on Cluster Munitions gender focal points" | United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.
OPEN SOURCEThe panel discussion centered on the integration of gender, age, and disability considerations into the implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), particularly in preparation for the upcoming Third Review Conference. Participants highlighted the distinct impacts of cluster munitions on different genders, noting that men and boys are often direct victims, while women and girls face indirect consequences and caregiving responsibilities.
Experts emphasized the necessity of age and gender-sensitive assistance to effectively address the diverse needs of affected individuals. The conversation aimed to assess the current state of gender integration in CCM implementation and to define priorities for the next five years, focusing on effective responses to the varying risks faced by men, women, boys, and girls.
Despite progress in representation, with women's participation among delegates reaching 40% in 2024, leadership roles for women remain limited, with only 2% of delegations led by women in 2025. This indicates that while strides have been made, significant gaps persist in achieving gender parity in decision-making roles.
The discussion also underscored the importance of tailored approaches in implementing the CCM, considering the unique realities and capacities of different states. National ownership and cooperation are crucial, especially for developing countries, to ensure that strategies are effectively executed and aligned with local needs.
Participants called for enhanced data collection and analysis, emphasizing the need for disaggregated data to inform policies and ensure that vulnerable groups are not overlooked. The integration of diverse perspectives in mine action is essential for maximizing humanitarian impact and prioritizing clearance efforts.
Looking ahead to the Third Review Conference, there is a commitment from gender focal points of Austria and Cameroon to continue discussions on inclusion and gender equality, with plans for an in-person side event. The dialogue reflects a broader trend in development diplomacy, moving from a focus solely on arms control to addressing the humanitarian impacts of weapons on affected individuals.


- The webinar, led by Renata Dalakwa from UNIDIR, focuses on gender, diversity, and inclusion in the context of the upcoming Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)
- Participants discussed the distinct impacts of cluster munitions on different genders, highlighting that men and boys are more likely to be direct victims, while women and girls often face indirect consequences and caregiving responsibilities
- The event aims to prepare stakeholders for the next phase of CCM implementation, emphasizing the need to integrate considerations of age, gender, and disability into mine action, risk education, and victim assistance
- Dalakwa noted the importance of the Vientiane Calling publication, which reflects on gender considerations in CCM implementation and encourages inclusive practices across all societal groups
- The panel features experts from various countries, including Cameroon and Austria, who will provide insights based on their professional experiences in the field
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- Emphasize the necessity of integrating gender, age, and disability considerations into victim assistance and mine action strategies
- Highlight the importance of tailored approaches to effectively address the diverse needs of affected individuals
- Point out the significant funding gaps that hinder effective implementation of gender-sensitive strategies
- Acknowledge the progress made in representation, with womens participation among delegates improving over recent years
- Recognize the ongoing challenges in achieving gender parity in leadership roles within the context of mine action
- The panel discussion emphasizes the importance of integrating gender considerations into the implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), particularly in preparation for the upcoming Third Review Conference
- Paul Serges Ntamack highlights that gender is explicitly referenced in the CCMs preamble and Article 5, which mandates state parties to provide age and gender-sensitive assistance to victims
- The conversation aims to assess the current state of gender integration in CCM implementation and to define priorities for the next five years, focusing on effective responses to the diverse needs of affected individuals
- Ntamack stresses that understanding the different risks and access disparities faced by men, women, boys, and girls is crucial for developing effective policies and programs
- The panel will include insights from various experts, including those from the Mines Advisory Group and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, fostering a collaborative approach to gender and diversity in mine action
- Men and boys face greater exposure to cluster munitions due to their social and economic roles, while women and girls bear different consequences, including increased caregiving responsibilities when family members are harmed
- The integration of gender considerations in humanitarian efforts is essential for effectiveness, as highlighted by the progress in the number of state parties incorporating these factors into their national strategies, rising from 1 in 2022 to 12 in 2025
- Womens representation among delegates has improved, reaching 40% in 2024, but leadership roles remain limited, with only 2% of delegations led by women in 2025, indicating that while progress is evident, it is incomplete
- The draft venture capital action plan emphasizes the need for gender, age, and disability considerations in national work plans, focusing on meaningful participation beyond mere numbers in diplomatic settings
- Future priorities include consolidating successful practices from the Los Angeles Action Plan and improving the collection of disaggregated data to better understand the diverse needs of affected populations
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- Effective implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) requires a tailored approach that considers the unique realities, capacities, and cultures of different states, rather than a one-size-fits-all model
- National ownership is crucial, and where capacities are limited, expectations must be supported by cooperation, technical assistance, and resources, particularly for developing countries
- Building synergies with existing frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the Youth Peace and Security agenda, can enhance the effectiveness of CCM implementation while maintaining its specific humanitarian objectives
- The focus should remain on meaningful participation and understanding the needs of affected populations, as gender mainstreaming is fundamentally about improving effectiveness in addressing contamination and assisting victims
- The upcoming venture capital action plan aims to strengthen cooperation, improve data collection, and ensure that efforts are directly connected to the humanitarian goals of the CCM
- Rita Khoury from the Lebanon Mine Action Center emphasizes the importance of integrating age, gender, and disability considerations into survey clearance and risk education efforts
- Effective inclusion involves understanding who is affected by contamination, who participates in information gathering, and who benefits from mine action activities, rather than merely collecting demographic data
- The survey process should not only identify contamination locations but also assess how different groups use the land and their varying levels of exposure to risks
- Inclusion is critical at all stages of mine action, from task assessment to stakeholder engagement, ensuring that both the evidence collectors and the affected populations are represented
- Khoury highlights the need for diverse teams in survey operations to reflect the communitys demographics, which can lead to better data and improved outcomes
- Effective community engagement in mine action requires input from diverse groups, including men, women, various age demographics, and individuals with disabilities, to ensure comprehensive understanding of land use and contamination risks
- Different community members possess unique knowledge that can inform risk assessments; for instance, farmers may provide insights on daily land use, while older individuals can share historical context, and disabled persons can identify overlooked access routes
- Inclusion in the survey process is crucial for accurately prioritizing clearance efforts, as it helps to understand who is affected by contamination and how, ultimately guiding decisions on where clearance can have the most significant humanitarian impact
- The approach emphasizes that the goal of clearance is not merely to quantify the area cleared but to assess who benefits from the clearance, ensuring that the needs of the community are met and that the impact is maximized
- The integration of human impact and community needs into the clearance planning process is essential, as it allows for a more nuanced understanding of contamination effects and supports better resource allocation
- Effective risk education requires tailored communication strategies that consider the diverse needs of different demographic groups, including children, women, and individuals with disabilities
- The integration of age, gender, and disability into survey and clearance planning is essential for understanding exposure patterns and ensuring that communication methods are accessible and actionable
- Data collection should not only focus on attendance numbers but also on understanding who is reached, who comprehends the messages, and who changes their behavior as a result
- The LMAAC approach emphasizes three key actions: including diverse voices in decision-making, adapting strategies to meet varied needs, and measuring outcomes through segregated data to assess the effectiveness of inclusion efforts
- Utilizing operational data effectively can enhance decision-making in mine action, ensuring that interventions benefit the communities most affected by contamination
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- The discussion emphasizes the importance of integrating age, gender, disability, and diversity considerations into victim assistance and other aspects of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM)
- Victim assistance is highlighted as a critical area where progress has been made, particularly in risk education and support for victims, showcasing a shift towards a human-centered approach in addressing the consequences of weapon use
- Barca Hassane Yacoubou, representing Niger, underscores the unique role of victim assistance within international treaties, noting its emergence from humanitarian concerns rather than traditional security frameworks
- The CCM obligates member states to provide age and gender-sensitive assistance to victims, necessitating a focus on the specific needs of diverse victim populations
- The dialogue reflects a broader trend in development diplomacy, moving from a focus solely on arms control to addressing the humanitarian impacts of weapons on affected individuals
- Assessing the needs of victims requires detailed data on age, gender, and disability to develop effective, evidence-based policies that address their diverse needs
- A significant funding gap exists for state parties obligated under Article 5 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, hindering adequate victim assistance implementation
- While some state parties have successfully integrated age, gender, and disability considerations into their strategies, many struggle with practical implementation due to insufficient resources
- In 2022, seven out of twelve state parties reported incorporating these considerations, with an increase to nine by 2025, indicating progress but also highlighting a gap between commitment and reality
- Victims face challenges accessing healthcare and social support, particularly in areas lacking medical facilities or where transportation costs are prohibitive
- There is a call for dedicated actions to support youth and ensure that age and gender considerations are included in data collection to avoid leaving vulnerable groups behind
- Victim assistance is an ongoing obligation for states, requiring continuous attention to age and gender-specific needs, particularly for children who have different requirements compared to adults
- There is a need to strengthen international cooperation and assistance for victim assistance, as current funding and support from donors are often inadequate
- Data collection and analysis must be disaggregated by age, gender, and disability to ensure that vulnerable groups are not overlooked in the implementation of victim assistance programs
- The importance of engaging various stakeholders, including survivors and service providers, is emphasized to enhance the effectiveness of the Convention on Cluster Munitions
- International cooperation is crucial for promoting gender equality and diversity in mine action, providing necessary resources and political attention to address these issues
- The discussion emphasizes the need for operational inclusion in mine action, arguing that policies and action plans alone do not guarantee sustainable change or ownership in practice
- Panelists highlight the importance of understanding age, gender, disability, and diversity to improve outreach, risk education design, and victim assistance, ultimately enhancing operational effectiveness
- There is a caution against treating gender and diversity as mere reporting requirements; instead, they should be integrated into the core competencies of mine action professionals
- International cooperation must support local ownership and sustainability, rather than inadvertently undermining it through donor-driven agendas
- A recent assessment in Southeast Asia demonstrated the value of situating discussions of inclusion within broader organizational culture, leading to practical, action-oriented solutions rather than isolated initiatives
- International cooperation must prioritize locally grounded analysis to effectively identify barriers to inclusion, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach
- Meaningful inclusion in mine action requires adequate resources for consultation, accessible communication, and data analysis, which are often overlooked in budget regulations
- Successful mainstreaming of gender and diversity in mine action can be achieved by integrating these considerations into existing programs rather than treating them as separate initiatives
- A public communications campaign in Southeast Asia demonstrated that showcasing diverse professionals in mine action as part of the norm can reach a wide audience and enhance visibility without emphasizing gender as an exception
- Looking ahead to the Third Review Conference, there is a call for states parties to maintain accountability on gender and diversity while focusing on substantive outcomes rather than mere compliance
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- International cooperation in mine action should prioritize nationally and locally owned approaches, ensuring that assistance aligns with locally identified priorities to enhance sustainable capacity
- Inclusion in mine action is context-specific, and local actors are better positioned to identify barriers to participation and effective strategies for overcoming them
- The next action plan presents an opportunity to embed gender, age, disability, and diversity considerations into everyday practices within the sector, enhancing the effectiveness of mine action
- The monitoring framework associated with the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) action plan aims to track implementation trends rather than provide exhaustive national context, helping to identify gaps and inform future priorities
- Lessons learned from previous action plans indicate the importance of having clear indicators to measure progress, which is essential for understanding the effectiveness of strategies and ensuring accountability
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- Effective monitoring of gender and diversity in the implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions requires clear indicators that assess responsiveness to the needs of various population groups, including age, gender, disability, and other diversity factors
- Indicators should measure not only representation in planning and implementation but also the meaningfulness of participation, highlighting that mere presence does not equate to influence in decision-making processes
- A critical gap exists in the current monitoring framework, as many commitments lack corresponding indicators, which could hinder the ability to track progress over the next five years in gender and diversity initiatives
- The ideal monitoring framework would also assess the influence of different groups on outcomes, although this presents challenges in qualitative assessment and impact monitoring
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- Indicators for measuring gender, age, disability, and diversity integration in CCM implementation must be relevant, clear, and realistic to ensure accurate reporting and avoid misinterpretation among states
- Disaggregated data collection is essential, as aggregated indicators can obscure the specific contributions of different groups, leading to a skewed understanding of progress
- The current monitoring framework relies heavily on Article 7 reports from states, which necessitates that the reporting templates align with the new anti-action plan to effectively track progress
- A potential model for reporting could be a checklist format that simplifies the declaration of commitments, similar to the approach taken in the APNB scene, which could enhance clarity and compliance
- The introduction of a voluntary Form J in 2023 allows states to report on gender and diversity efforts, indicating a shift towards more structured data collection on these issues
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- The discussion highlighted the need for targeted risk education, particularly for men and boys, who are identified as the most at-risk group from cluster munitions
- Despite the recognition of this risk, current risk education efforts appear to distribute access more evenly among genders, raising questions about the effectiveness of these programs
- Panelists suggested that the data collected on gender and diversity may not be adequately integrated into planning and programming, which could hinder the effectiveness of risk education initiatives
- There is a misconception that achieving gender balance in programming requires a strict 50/50 distribution, which does not necessarily reflect the realities of risk education needs
- Women can play a crucial role as information multipliers within communities, which may justify a more balanced approach to risk education that includes their participation
- The effectiveness of risk education initiatives may be compromised by inadequate integration of gender, age, and disability data into planning and reporting processes
- A rigid numerical approach to gender balance in programming is criticized; instead, a focus on context-specific risk analysis and targeted reporting is advocated
- In some contexts, men and boys, often the primary breadwinners, are less accessible during risk education sessions, leading to a skewed representation in reporting
- Successful risk education strategies often involve engaging the family unit and community leaders to disseminate information to those unable to attend sessions directly
- Measuring the impact of indirect methods of delivering risk education to men and boys poses challenges, highlighting the need for resources to assess effectiveness
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- The discussion emphasized that gender and diversity considerations are essential for improving assistance and service delivery, rather than being goals in themselves
- Key themes included the importance of meaningful representation and the inclusion of survivors and affected communities in decision-making processes to ensure locally grounded approaches
- Challenges in measuring meaningful participation and the need for relevant indicators were highlighted, stressing the necessity of reliable data collection for effective implementation
- Resources are crucial for translating diversity and inclusion principles into actionable outcomes on the ground
- Looking ahead to the Third Review Conference in Vientiane, there is a commitment from gender focal points of Austria and Cameroon to continue discussions on inclusion and gender equality, with plans for an in-person side event
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- The dialogue emphasized the importance of ongoing discussions on gender, diversity, and inclusion in preparation for the Third Review Conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Vientiane
- Panelists expressed gratitude for the support from various donor governments, highlighting the role of funding in facilitating meaningful conversations and research on gender and disarmament
- The session aimed to provide insights and prepare participants for the upcoming conference, despite time constraints limiting deeper exchanges
- The collaborative efforts between the gender focal points of Cameroon and Austria were noted as a significant step towards enhancing gender equality in mine action initiatives
The discussion surrounding the integration of gender, age, and disability considerations into the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) implementation highlights a critical intersection of humanitarian and military concerns. While the emphasis on inclusive practices is commendable, the effectiveness of these strategies may be hindered by existing funding gaps and the varying capacities of state parties to implement them.
This analysis is an original interpretation prepared by Art Argentum based on the transcript of the source video. The original video content remains the property of the respective YouTube channel. Art Argentum is not responsible for the accuracy or intent of the original material.



