“I am giving back to the people what was taken from them for ages. We all understand that being a woman is not an impediment, but an opportunity,” says Assa Santos Macuacua, the Team Leader of APOPO’s Mine Action Program in Mozambique.
APOPO has created a new all-ladies demining team. The crew was recruited to contribute to equal opportunity and employment in the area.

This highly motivated team entirely comprises of women hired from the local communities – and all without prior demining experience.

APOPO’s ladies team started operations in 2012, removing hand grenades and POMZ mines from the Chokwe minefield in Southern Mozambique.