About the Author: Kate McFarland serves as an Assistant Program Manager for South and Central Asia in the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

Sri Lanka’s civil war may have ended in May 2009, but the scars of war still remain in the form of landmines and unexploded munitions that slow down rebuilding efforts and prevent several thousand displaced families from safely returning home. For the past two years, the United States has stepped up its support to Sri Lankan communities working for peace through clearing these hidden hazards for one of the world’s most active humanitarian demining programs.

The success of this U.S.-funded demining program would not have been possible without the significant contributions of female deminers in Sri Lanka. In a recent visit, I had the opportunity to meet some of these strong, courageous, and inspirational women working for a better tomorrow.

Many of these women were widowed during the war and are now the sole financial providers for their families. These… more »