This International Women's Day we are lifting up the voices of female gold miners in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. This article highlights some of the great stories about women housed in our Knowledge Repository that were created by other organizations in the global ASM community.
Voices
Meet Josephine and Zawadi: Women Artisanal Miners in Democratic Republic of Congo
Source: IMPACT
This video tells the stories of Josephine Kibondo and Moza Zawadi, two women artisanal gold miners in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri Province. They share about their life as artisanal miners and, while they say it’s hard work, they rely on the income from artisanal mining to support their families.
Women of Gold
Source: The Golden Line
This video tells the story of Anna, a female mine worker in Tanzania. In Tanzania, approximately 25 percent of all people directly involved in artisanal and small-scale gold mines (ASGM), are women. The Golden Line is a 5-year programme of Simavi, Solidaridad and Healthy Entrepeneurs working towards economic empowerment of women living in and around ASGM in Geita district, Tanzania.
María
Source: Plataforma Integral de Minería a Pequeña Escala (PIM)
This microdocumentary shares the story of María Flores Soto, a female miner dedicated to "barranquilleo" (the artisanal extraction of alluvial gold). It provides a glimpse into the daily life of women miners, as well as the actions that the Qori Suma Project has been implementing to change the current situation of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
African Women in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining
Source: African Minerals Development Centre
This special report highlights the significant, yet chronically underreported major role African women play in artisanal and small scale mining (ASM). In Africa, the ASM workforce comprises no less than 40-50% women. The report includes testimonials about multiple women miners in Ghana, Guinea and Tanzania, and reveals the key challenges that women face in the sector and what can be done to make it more gender-responsive.
Meet Your Miner: Prisca
Source: Pact
In this video meet Prisca, a female gemstone miner in Tanzania’s Umba Valley. With the Tanzania Women Miners Association (TAWOMA) and Moyo partners ANZA Gems and Nineteen48, Pact is helping women miners in Umba to mine legally, to work more safely, to improve their gem and market skills, to raise their incomes, and to be recognized for the arduous work that makes consumers’ jewelry possible. View more miner stories and photos.
What are other examples of effective stories or resources elevating the voices, strengths, successes, and challenges of women working in ASM? Please share them with us in the comments below.
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