At APOPO, we recognize the essential contributions of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), particularly in humanitarian fields like mine action. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated annually on February 11, highlights the importance of gender equality in science and encourages more young women to pursue careers in these fields.
Women play a critical role in advancing technology and innovation, and we are proud to have talented professionals like Minaya Alakbarli leading the way in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and mine clearance. As an Information Manager at APOPO in Azerbaijan, Minaya uses GIS to document and track demining activities, optimize operations, and contribute to humanitarian mine action in Azerbaijan.
In celebration of women in STEM, Minaya shares her journey, her experiences in mine clearance, and her advice for young women pursuing careers in science and technology:
My Journey with APOPO
“My name is Minaya, and I am 30 years old. I was born in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
I’ve been working with APOPO since July 2023. I am currently in my second year of working at the APOPO organization.
Since 2017, I’ve worked in GIS and ecology for a variety of local and international organizations. In 2022, based on my experience training students to operate in minefields, I was strongly influenced by the life-saving job that this field does for people and the globe. The following year, in the summer of 2023, I received excellent news that a foreign organization was looking for someone with GIS experience, and that was APOPO. This opportunity was a huge step forward for me. I wanted to make a difference in the world and in my home nation by working for a humanitarian organization. I’m quite fortunate to have been chosen.
My journey with APOPO has created some of the most special memories in my life. Since I first realized my potential, going beyond my limits and discovering new ones in my life became a personal joy. The early days of my work with the organization took me 330 km away from Baku, where I had lived for 28 years. I moved to Tartar, leaving behind my family, friends, and the environment I knew.
At the organization, the team leaders, managers, and even the dogs and rats that guided the work were all foreigners, from different countries and cultures. Despite the differences, the sincerity in our communication and the sharing of work-related information was amazing. The caring nature of the leaders and their humanitarian qualities created a very different impact. It felt like I had known them for years.
One of the things I loved most was that the leaders supported us in a friendly manner, without ever making the leadership feel distant. Being one of the first Azerbaijanis to participate in mine clearance with rats and get to know them was an amazing feeling. Our team includes colleagues from Cambodia, Colombia, Jordan, Mozambique, South Sudan, and Israel.”
What I Do at APOPO and Why It Matters
“I am an information manager who helps in reflecting the daily activities of specially trained African giant pouched rats and Technical Survey Dogs (TSD) that have successfully passed through various tasks in contaminated minefields and areas with other military ordnance. These activities are documented through reports, maps, and specialized programs.
I would like to particularly highlight my work with maps. Working with maps, acquiring new technological knowledge, and applying them in practical and beneficial tasks is something that brings me great joy.
Having experienced the impact of dangerous areas as a war-torn country, I have felt firsthand the effects of human casualties. I have seen how healthy individuals can disappear in an instant, and how their health can deteriorate, affecting every aspect of their life in a negative way. To prevent these outcomes, it is essential to eliminate the cause, and that is exactly what the APOPO humanitarian organization is doing. I believe this is one of the most vital missions for both our country and the world.”
My Academic Background and Passion for Science
“My Bachelor’s degree is in Geographic Ecology, and my Master’s is in Environmental Engineering. Throughout my academic journey, I have focused on the ecological aspect and have placed a high value on understanding the interconnectedness of life, nature, humans, and the different spheres of existence.
Alongside my work with APOPO, I have been giving seminars and training on environmental protection and research for students and young people for the last 5 years, and I still consider training opportunities when they arise. If I have the potential to contribute to my country and the world, why not do so?
The question I have always asked myself is: How can we improve our lives further? With Geographic Information Systems (GIS), it is possible to model these complex interconnections mathematically, and calculate and visualize future predictions.”
Surprising My Friends and Family: Working with Rats
“The aspect I enjoy most about my work is the potential to provide any information requested in the shortest time possible. This has been made possible by a strong internet, a laptop with excellent technical specifications, and my motivating managers.
One of the most unexpected reactions I have experienced is when I tell people I work with rats. They often react with shock and curiosity, unable to believe that these animals could play a role in mine clearance. But when I show them YouTube videos of APOPO’s HeroRATs searching for dangerous munitions, their reactions change. They become fascinated by how effective the rats are at detecting landmines.
Even those around me started referring to me as “the lady working with rats”! I never imagined I would work so closely with an animal that is usually seen as a pest. Like many people, I did not have pleasant childhood memories with rats. After all, how can anyone touch those wild, destructive, harmful, disease-carrying creatures that have left a mark on history?
But APOPO and its team created a completely different perspective on this reality. The moment I first held a Tanzanian mine detection rat and petted it, the emotional connection was unforgettable. These animals are gentle, intelligent, and truly remarkable in their work.”
My Advice for Women in STEM
“The best situation is for women and girls to always be part of open-minded communities. They will surely find individuals who inspire them. In the fields of exact sciences, women and girls should understand that failures are simply the path leading to success. Women have great potential to excel in these fields.
Sometimes there are different opinions about women, that they may only be successful in certain areas like teaching, humanitarian fields, or learning and teaching foreign languages. Unfortunately, we still hear these things even in today’s world. However, this is not true. Many women have proven otherwise with their successful careers. In the fields of exact sciences, technology, and innovation, the presence and impact of women are distinctive.
We should always remain true to ourselves, and every effort will eventually lead to its rightful moment. As women, with our creative nature, we have the potential to bring new values and fresh perspectives to these fields.”
Final Thoughts
“As an Information Manager at APOPO, what I strive to convey is the importance of the work we do for our country and community. I enjoy presenting my work and conveying information on maps, using different color gradients to make the data more visually clear and precise.
I have always identified myself as someone passionate about watching and analyzing foreign documentaries and cultures. The opportunity to explore and understand life, the world, myself, and different people is something I value deeply. Having colleagues from diverse countries adds a unique value to each day. After work, it’s rewarding to spend time with a team that fully takes responsibility for their tasks—whether it’s engaging in sports, pursuing different hobbies, cooking, or sharing dinner together, laughing, and talking.
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I encourage young women to pursue their passions in science, technology, and innovation. We have the potential to make a real impact on the world—and I am proud to be part of it.”
HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION:
APOPO employs some amazing women in our programs. Often these women challenge traditional stereotypes and become voices for change in their own communities.
Support APOPO in honor of #WomenInScience.
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