By Lebohang Lesenyeho
The dynamics of gender are changing, so it is crucial to effectively and appropriately advocate for women’s inclusion in the mining industry. Therefore, Macua & Wamua works relentlessly to promote the entry of more women into this sector and to help the industry accept gender diversity. We are striving to dispel the myths that the mining sector is a man’s domain and that women in mining-affected communities must financially rely on men who are employed in or considering employment in this field. Analyzing the detrimental effects that this false belief has on the prevalence of GBV cases is also important.
Macua & Wamua has engaged in series of GBV workshops across the country to capacitate women pertaining remedies available to them as victims or survivors of GBV. Moreover, empowering them to be actively involved in decision making processes that affects their livelihood. We have observed that mining industries are male dominated industries because of the misconception that women are physically incapable for working in mining industry. Women are mostly excluded on mining benefits such as trainings, learnerships, employment or forming part of SLP’s consultations etc. As a result, their economic independence becomes limited to a larger extend. This is one of the reasons as to why most women are victims of economic abuse and other various forms of domestics and sexual abuse.
Economic abuse basically refers to a form of abuse when one intimate partner has control over the other partner’s access to economic resources, which diminishes the victim’s capacity to support themselves and forces them to depend on the perpetrator financially. Most women in mining affected communities are subjected to this type of abuse for different reasons. However, the one that takes precedent is an insufficient empowerment, advocacy, and inclusivity of women within mining industries. As this leaves them with limited access to economic resources which forces them to turn a blind eye on the abuse out of fear of losing financial support from the perpetrator.
Thus, it is imperative that we work towards mechanisms that will ensure that women inclusivity is mostly advocated for as far as economic benefits from mining industries are concerned. Not forgetting the need to capacitate them on legal remedies available to them on GBV cases. Let’s stand in solidarity with them to fight against GBV and gender injustices within mining affected communities.
The post Insufficient inclusion of women within mining industries as one of the contributing factors towards Gender Base Violence (GBV) within mining affected communities. first appeared on MACUA.
