‘Embrace small-scale mining, women urged’ 7 November 2019

Women have been urged to be more knowledgeable about mining rights and improve on their participation in the sector. Speaking at a women’s mining symposium held recently at a local hotel, Manicaland provincial mining director Mr Omen Dube, whose speech was read by Mr Innocent Mapara, said unawareness was the major hindrance to women’s participation in the mining sector.

The symposium was co-hosted by Action Aid and Zimbabwe Diamonds and Allied Minerals Workers’ Union under the theme “Empowering women in extractive industry to eradicate poverty, inequality and abuse”. Mr Mapara said there was need to increase women participation in the mining sector as part of measures to bridge gender inequality and achieve sustainable economic development.

…Mr Mapara also urged women to work closely with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development to ensure that they get entitlement for mining claims that would benefit them. “The major challenges for women are labour, occupational segregation and lack of access to capital. The Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development will advocate and lobby for you and assist you in acquiring mining claims as has been evidenced by the few women that have claims as we speak,” said Mr Mapara.