Tanaka Chare
Women-led mining associations push for a greater role in the sector at a workshop convened in Zvishavane.
The workshop was spearheaded by Sophia Takuva, Director of the African Women in Mining Empowerment Trust and a prominent figure in advancing women’s participation in the mining industry.
“We engaged over 150 women miners from Zvishavane and Insiza districts. The engagements at mining sites ensure that the voices of all women involved in the extraction value chain are heard and their diverse health and safety needs are met.”
Local government, traditional leaders and government ministries toured mining sites to gain first-hand insights into their operations and experiences.
Donald Nyatoro, Communications and Advocacy Officer at the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) underscores the importance of women’s inclusion in decision-making.
It is important to consistently advocate for women’s contributions and to ensure that their voices are heard in mining-related decision-making processes.
Representatives from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) highlighted the environmental impact of mining activities and the need for robust environmental monitoring.
They also emphasised the vital role communities, especially women, play in reporting environmental damage and holding mining companies accountable.
The workshop concluded with a unified commitment to continue mobilising women, increasing awareness of their rights, and advocating for inclusive policy reforms that address their specific needs and aspirations.
The new mining bill and its implications, which seek to modernise and replace the outdated 1961 Mines and Minerals Act.
The bill aims for a more transparent and inclusive mining sector by reforming the Mining Affairs Board, ensuring community rights and introducing social obligations for large-scale miners.
