The extractive sector, like many other industries, has historically been dominated by patriarchal structures that prioritise male leadership and perpetuate gender inequalities. Building a strong feminist movement and sharing information around extractives is important to see growth in women-led extraction initiatives.



Women and Law in Southern Africa, with support from the Ford Foundation, participated in the 7th Edition of the Gender and Extractives Symposium, which ended in Kadoma on the 21st of April.



The purpose of the symposium was to celebrate women’s month and advocate for access to digital technology and innovation for marginalised women in the extractives sector through the development of a communique.



Speaking at the event, WLSA Senior Legal Officer Hilda Mahumucha said the impact of climate change was gendered and bearing more on women.



"During a drought, women are the ones who typically search for water and food. In times of displacement, women are disproportionately affected due to their slower mobility compared to men. The intersection of gender, climate change, and extractives is complex and often creates challenges. Covid-19 exposed how most programming is not disaster-proof and building a strong feminist movement is important, and sharing information around extractives is very important," She said



WLSA had the opportunity to launch three publications and two policy briefs reports on Gender and Extractive, which are

• Gendered Situational Analysis of the Extractive Sector,Climate Change framework and Climate Justice Initiative in Zimbabwe
• Gendered and Climate Change Handbook, A Guide for Practitioners
• Gender Mainstreaming in the Extractive Sector in Zimbabwe
• Gender and Extractives Handbook A Guide for Practioners
• Gender Based Violence & Climate Change Nexus - A Climate Justice Approach



Rumbidzai Makoni from Action Aid took the participants through understanding digital technology and how it can be utilised by women to be economically effective.



"Technology can be utilised for exploration, learning from other countries without leaving your home, climate change preparedness-

monitoring mines for health and safety reasons, using drones, and financially using online systems," she said



A number of institutions presented and highlighted the programming challenges they faced during the lockdown in 2020. ZIDAWU shared how they utilised the WhatsApp platform to continue monitoring the mines they could not physically visit.



It was also highlighted that other institutions like ZELA created BOTS on accessing environmental and mining laws online. They also trained community monitors in Shurugwi to note issues like community ownership shares and what that was utilised for. Technology was playing a critical role in information dissemination in communities at the time.



Speaking at the same event Fadzai Midzi from ZELA said the Gender symposium was a platform to empower the marginalised in the extractives. At the same time, she highlighted that women are left behind. There is a need to empower them to break the bias by utilising digital technology.



She noted that it is important for women miners to understand innovation and know how to utilise it.



Tracy from Centre for Natural Resources Governance presented on the experiences of women employed by mining companies and some of the challenges they face such as unfair labour practices, sexual exploitation and child labour practices amongst others.



Tracy also highlighted that women living in mining communities face environmental degradation, pollution displacement and gender-based violence.



"While cyber bullying was rife, cultural restriction and poverty are also rife in hindering using technology, there are benefits in utilising it. Civil society institutions are utilising it to advance women’s digital activism, mobilising women in digital activism and increasing online engagement e.g. Hashtag activities, #howfar? #Thisflag these have forced the duty bearers to respond," she said.



The symposium was attended by women miners, women living in mining communities, entrepreneurs, Ministry of women affairs, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Zimbabwe Miners Federation, Zimbabwe School of Mines and CSOs.