The mining sector has traditionally been male-dominated. Women have always been discouraged from taking on roles in the sciences and engineering Regarding female engineers, a 2023 study found that women made up 13.7% of the global engineering workforce. While this percentage has been increasing over the years, it still signifies a significant gender gap. For female miners, specific data is even more scarce. The mining sector has traditionally been male-dominated, and women’s participation, particularly in manual labour roles, has been limited. However, there’s a growing recognition of the need for diversity in the mining sector, and efforts are being made to encourage more women to enter the field.
Despite being underrepresented, women have been pivotal in Nigeria’s mining sector, especially in artisanal and small-scale mining Small-scale mining (SSM) which involves individuals, cooperatives, or small companies extracting minerals with minimal investment and manual labour or simple tools. Miners transport extracted minerals manually, using animals, or vehicles. They then sell them to markets or processing centres They identify mineral-rich areas using traditional knowledge, geological maps, or simple tools. They then claim the sit. They extract minerals using hand tools like picks, shovels, and hammers, or simple machinery like pumps, generators, or small excavators. Common techniques include open-pit mining, underground mining, and alluvial mining. Extracted ore is crushed and ground, then separated using gravity separation, flotation, or chemical processes. Some minerals require further refining.
All the activities listed have always been considered work for men, but women miners still perform essential roles, from ore processing to trade, but often face gender discrimination, lack of funding, and health risks. Efforts like the Women in Mining Nigeria (WIMIN) initiative a non-governmental organization focused on women’s advancement in the Nigerian mineral, exploration and mining sector are beginning to address these barriers. Programmes promoting capacity building and access to resources are empowering women to take leadership roles in the sector. Highlighting their stories can help challenge stereotypes and foster inclusion in the sector. WIMIN carries out its programmes through research, capacity building, advocacy and campaigns built on the principles of partnership and rights-based approach. Women and youth’s rights issues are mainstreamed in our programming. It is an umbrella organization driving women empowerment and economic development processes, which tends to gender issues and women inclusion in the sector.
WIMINs focus is on addressing gender equality, governance, and policy dialogue as cross-cutting issues in the mining sector. WIMIN’s worldwide acceptance is anchored on equity and protection of the most vulnerable groups, particularly women and children from the grievous consequences of artisanal mining