From Paul Orude, Bauchi
NGO Women in Mining (WIMN) has advocated for gender equity in the mining sector for women in Bauchi State.
WIMN President Mrs Janet Adeyemi made the call at the Research Validation and Policy Dialogue meeting held in Bauchii saying women need space to invest equally in exploration and governance in the mining sector.
Adeyemi said many countries have ensured that policies reflect gender as nobody wants to be reckoned with a society that has no respect or concern at the least, for women and children.
“It is my belief that in this global journey to progress, no one wants to be tied down or dragged behind by culture or sentiment,” she stated.
“That is the attitude I expect of the policy dialogue we shall hold in this programme.”
She explained that WIMIN sent its research team to conduct in-depth research on the extent of women and child rights violations in the Mining Sector in Bauchi State.
“This programme validates the research conducted in Bauchi State and will open our perspective to the human rights issues in the local mining host communities,” she stated.
“Such as Gwana Mining Community, Toro and other places we have our spotlight on.
“As we discuss policy matters with stakeholders, we want to urge the State Ministry of Natural Resources to direct its attention on the gender-based issues in the mining sector”
Speaking, Hajiya Nafisa Baba said: “In today’s mining sector evidence suggests women are disproportionately burdened by mining’s negative effects while receiving few benefits.
“The reasons are varied and complex, ranging from a lack of regulatory frameworks and sector-specific gender equality policies to entrenched social norms and economic inequalities.”
“Women often find themselves excluded from decision-making processes, underrepresented in the mining workforce, and facing discrimination in and around mine sites,” Nafusa Baba said.
Baba stressed that to reach gender equality in mining, women’s voices need to be heard in mining workplaces, affected communities, and wherever important decisions are made.
“Practically, this requires policies, programs, and actions that minimize mining’s negative impacts on women often associated with environmental contamination, and gender-based violence,” she said.