The planetGOLD Zambia Commemorates International Women’s Day in Rufunsa District

On 8th March, the planetGOLD Zambia Project joined the Rufunsa District Administration, traditional leaders, women miners and other stakeholders in Rufunsa District to commemorate International Women’s Day under the global theme “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls.”

The celebration brought together various stakeholders to recognize the important role women play in communities and key economic sectors such as Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM), while also highlighting the need for practical action to advance gender equity.
Delivering the keynote address, Rufunsa District Commissioner Mr. Richard Mabena, who served as Guest of Honour, emphasized the importance of translating commitments on gender equality into tangible actions that improve the lives of women and girls.
“Empowering women and girls is not just a moral imperative, it is a strategic decision that propels societies towards prosperity and ensures inclusive development where women actively participate in and benefit from economic growth and governance,” Mr. Mabena said.
“As a district, we have seen a very progressive approach towards improving the livelihoods of our women and girls through different interventions and programmes from cooperating partners,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Ms. Modister Sipho Sinkamba from the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) Stressed the critical role women play in environmental protection and sustainable development.

“Women play a critical role in environmental protection and sustainable development. In many communities across Zambia, women are directly involved in managing natural resources and promoting sustainable practices that safeguard the health of our ecosystems,” she said.
And speaking on behalf of the Rufunsa District Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Technical Committee (DASGM) Project Ms. Dottin Mutaka explained that the project is promoting gender inclusion by creating opportunities for women to participate in mining, access training, and benefit from safer mercury-free mining technologies. 

She said empowering women is not about competition between men and women but about working together to build stronger families, communities, and a more sustainable Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining sector.
Speaking during the event, Ms. Valensia Macwani Aongola, representing women miners in Rufunsa District, expressed appreciation to the planetGOLD Zambia Project for empowering women through the Gender Mapping and Mainstreaming programme.
She noted that the programme has helped address cultural beliefs and barriers that have historically limited women’s participation in the mining sector.
“The programme has gone beyond educating miners on safety mining practices to focusing on the barriers that hinder women in mining from actively participating in the mining sector,” Ms. Aongola said.
“For a long time we have been told that when women pass where there is gold, the gold disappears. Through the planetGOLD Zambia Project we have learned the importance of creating an equal table for women not only to participate, but also thrive in their work,” she noted.
Ms. Aongola also commended the Government, particularly the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, for supporting the formalisation of artisanal miners through the issuance of Artisanal Mining Rights.

However, she appealed for increased support to improve access to finance for artisanal miners.
“Most of us women are willing to practice legal mining through the artisanal licences we have been granted. We only wish to appeal to government that the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund is made available for miners either through loans or grants, as the biggest challenge we have is access to finance and equipment,” she said.

The planetGOLD Zambia Project continues to work with mining communities across the country to promote gender inclusion, safer mining practices and the adoption of mercury-free technologies in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining sector.