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Safe Home - An Iraqi TV Series on Women in Mine Action

 

Introduction

Safe Home is a six-episode online series following the journey of a young Iraqi woman named Ahlam, who works as a searcher with a demining NGO. As she clears dangerous lands of improvised explosive devices, she faces profound challenges not only in her work but also from her family and society. 

UNMAS Iraq made this series to facilitate the inclusion of more women in the mine action sector in the country. Today, women represent 40% of implementing partner staff, serving in senior management, operational roles, and support functions. This includes four women in management, 33 in operational roles, and nine in support positions, reflecting significant progress in achieving gender inclusion.

 

Episode Preview

     

Episode 1 Ahlam’s First Steps as a Female IED Expert

Ahlam has just started her work as an improvised explosive device (IED) expert with an NGO in Iraq. Despite the fact that she does a good job, some doubts arise amongst her colleagues, family, and others because she is the only woman on the team.

         
     

Episode 2  Ahlam Faces Doubt in the Male-Dominated Field

Ahlam’s role as an IED expert continues to raise eyebrows. Some colleagues question her place in the team, while her family struggles with the societal expectations surrounding her unconventional career.

         
     

Episode 3   Challenges Along the Way

Ahlam's team narrowly escapes an IED attack on their way back from demining—a trap set just for them. Meanwhile, her mother wants to have a debate on women's empowerment, confronting the challenges women face in employment.

         
     

Episode 4 "Why Should She Be Deprived?"

Ahlam calmly dealt with the gender-based unwelcoming attitude from her colleagues, as she had anticipated it. But is such unwelcoming behavior justifiable? As she put it, "Why should she be deprived of an opportunity for no reason other than she is a young woman?"

         
     

Episode 5  Fairness

Ahlam continued her critical role as the IED expert in the team’s mission in the suicide alley, the most contaminated street in west Mosul. Outside, the debate on "what is fairness" in gender is still going on.

         
     

Episode 6 A Band of Equals

Ahlam earned her team’s acceptance by excelling in her role and encouraged women to join the mine action sector or any field they aspire to. Her example inspired a band of equals around her, but achieving gender equality in society as a whole remains a long and challenging journey.