Mine Clearing Efforts in Ukraine and the Role of Women
Former pastry chef Kulhava is working with the Mines Advisory Group to clear mines in Ukraine, helping to restore the country's agricultural lands.
Participating in mine clearance activities in Ukraine, former pastry chef Kulhava stated that sunflowers now grow where bombs once fell, and shared her experiences in humanitarian mine action.
The Journey from Past to Minefields
Having previously worked in the finance sector and later as a pastry chef, Kulhava came across a job posting with the Mines Advisory Group while waiting for a visa to move to Czechia. Although she initially found the job very dangerous, she evaluated the situation and decided to apply.
A Dangerous Mission Kept Secret from Family
Kulhava stated that she did not initially tell her family about starting the job because she did not want them to worry. When her family found out, they were shocked and expressed that deep down they did not want her to work in this field.
The Scale of Mine Contamination in Ukraine
Ukraine is known as one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. It is estimated that 20 to 25 percent of the country's territory is contaminated with hazardous ordnance.
Women in Humanitarian Mine Action
According to UN Women data, women make up 30 to 35 percent of those working in humanitarian mine action. However, only about 12 percent of these individuals are directly involved in field operations.
Initial Challenges in Fieldwork
Stating that she had never worked with explosives before, Kulhava said she initially lacked self-confidence. She added that at first, she viewed working with this dangerous ordnance as a man's job.
Museum Visit in the UK and Outlook on Life
Invited to the UK by the Imperial War Museum, Kulhava recorded her experiences during the war. She stated that this process changed the way she perceives life and taught her the importance of living in the moment.