Women in Mining

"We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back" - Malala Yousafzi

Women are often called the back bone of a nation and the pillars of the community. However, having spent time getting to know these women the harsh realities of the misogny within the mining community quickly bring you back to reality. In the remote villages within Kumasi you will find a large number male dominated mining communities. These communities all have different rules and superstitions they follow and practice in the belief that this will bring them prosperity and riches. Unfortunately, these rules and superstitions have reinforced the gender inequalities within mining.

Rules for women in mining communities:

- If women are on their periods they are not allowed to go to the pit as this will cause the gold to disappear as they are "unclean"

- They are considered physically inferior so their place is in the kitchen

- Some villages will not allow any women near any pit or gold sites.

- Women to be physically checked by an elder woman in the community to confirm if they are menstruating

As a result of these rules marginalised and underprivileged women are facing challenges daily just to make ends meet and provide for their families. A common thread that was echoed in the stories of the women we have encountered is that they have to do these jobs because spouses are not providing any money into the house.

2022 Vision

We want to change the status quo for the marginalised women in mining. In the words of Nelson Mandela " Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world"; Mabasa Minerals will be educating and providing them the skills and tools to create jewellery and generate consistent income which is free from the current restrictions they face in mining. In addition to this we will be working with the local schools to ensure that children are able to explore the different career options that are available to them post education.

Gifty A

Gifty is a young woman who has faced many challenges whilst trying to support her children. Her parents married her off to an older man at a very young age and unfortunately, this was not a happy marriage. She suffered abuse at the hands of this man and like many other women he would not help her with any money despite saying she could not work as she was a woman.

Gifty was able to leave this marriage and found true love. Unfortunately, due to an accident in a mine her husband was sadly killed. Gifty has been working in the mines carrying heavy rocks and inhaling fumes whilst heavily pregnant as she had no other means of supporting her children.

After hearing of Gifty's story and daily challenges we felt compelled to see how we can support her and her family.

Stories such as those of Gifty are the drivers behind our passion to support marginalised women in mining. By providing them the skills and knowledge to work in ways that have no restrictions as a result of their gender will mean they can continue to support their families.