This Photo is a screen shot from a documentary called “Small Targets: Children and Landmines in Mozambique,” which explores the issue of land mines in Mozambique and how it directly affects the most innocent of victims; the children!
There are 110 million land mines in 70 countries, of those about half are in 11 African countries. Angola according to the UN is affected more than any other country in the world followed by Egypt and Mozambique per capita.
APL short for Anti-personnel land mines considered to be unethical because its victims are frequently civilians often killed or injured after a war has long ended.
I don’t have details on the number of people physically maimed per capita in Africa but its serious enough that more injuries to civilians occur on an average year in certain countries compared to war.
Thus it makes sense that the victims hold pageants to victims of APLs.
The pageant has been organized by Angola’s de-mining commission, and aims to restore the confidence of victims and raise awareness of their plight.
Millions of mines were planted in Angola during a 27-year civil war that ended in 2002.
The “Miss Landmine Survivor” contest will be held on 2 April in a luxury hotel in the Angolan capital, Luanda.
Eighteen women will take part, one from every province in the country. BBC
I thought it was very interesting way to raise awareness.
Published by March 27th, 2008 in African and Current Issues.Send this post to a friend
I totally agree with you. Usually, i do not see the point of beauty pageants but on this particular instance it really makes sense. Thanks Nolawi for sharing the news.
Good article Nolawi, thank you for bringing it to our attention…
Wasnt there a worldwide ban on anti personal landmines being discussed some seven years ago?..I think the pageant initiative is a good one,if it helps the victims self esteem and the pyschological distress of dealing with loss of limbs. The sad thing is landmines continue to blight people’s lives long after wars are finished and the countries who sell them cant even agree on a worldwide ban. I suppose like war it gets in the way of business..
Nolawi -Thanks for sharing
Congrats on the Tadias article
http://www.tadias.com/?p=1612
Nolawi -Thanks for sharing.
Great article on Tadias
http://www.tadias.com/?p=1612
This is a blessed idea to raise awareness. Thanks for sharing.
The Laws of War
The laws of war
they do not change.
Too often peace
is not the answer
is of course
a law of war.
Absolute.
Eventually…
Skeletons of starvation
clatter about,
easily dangling
wind chime
of bones,
best of friends.
Dogs get skinny,
then disappear.
Some birds flourish.
Others chatter less.
The moon always looks dusty.
Ten years later
sheep still trip landmines.
Skillfully,
the flock is diminished.
Death likes to linger.
Not everyone seems
to get it in time.
Copyright © William Thien 2007