Success for MAG's all-female demining team
In recognition of their outstanding efforts to save lives, MAG's Cambodian all-female demining team was awarded the Niarchos Prize for Survivorship at a special award luncheon held on 1st November in New York City. MAG Executive Director, Lou McGrath and two representatives from the team, Supervisor Pin Srey On and Project Officer Yean Maly, accepted the $25,000 prize "for [the team's] excellence in service to save lives under the most difficult circumstances."
The team began operations in 2003 as the first ever demining team to be comprised entirely of women. Over the past three years the team's 15 members have worked to make land safe by clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and edicating local communities about the dangers posed by these explosive devices.
For MAG, the work done to reduce the suffering caused by the remnants of conflict has never been a gender issue. After receiving the award, Lou McGrath said, "Landmines impact all members of the community - male and female alike. It only makes sense that both should have the opportunity to be a part of the solution."
The prestigious award was presented by Ken Rutherford, Co-founder of Landmine Survivors Network (LSN). It was established by the Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation and is given annually to an individual and organisation who promote resilience and recovery among victims of war, conflict, civil strife and terrorism in conflict and post conflict societies.
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| Left to right: Lou McGrath (MAG Executive Director), Pin Srey On (Team Supervisor), Jerry White (LSN Executive Director) and Yean Maly (Project Officer) |
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