BACKGROUND
Historically, mining has been considered a male-dominated profession, leaving women to face its impacts without sufficient means to challenge the status quo. This dynamic is particularly pronounced among women in mining communities who often lack access to education and opportunities.
While women have contributed significantly to mining since the early modern period, industrialization and mechanization in the 18th century marginalized their roles. Legal frameworks like Section 56(2) of Nigeria’s labor laws further excluded women from underground mining roles, reflecting widespread societal and cultural barriers.Globally, the extractive sector has the potential to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, and SDG 5 on gender equality. Yet, Nigeria’s mining industry tells a different story: women make up only 6.8% of the workforce, with most occupying low-level positions. Barriers such as limited education, funding challenges, and cultural norms persist.
Through research supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa and the Ford Foundation, Women in Mining (WIMIN) Nigeria observed that breaking this cycle requires equipping young girls with education and skills to participate meaningfully in the industry. The G4M Initiative aims to pave the way for a new generation of women leaders in mining by advocating STEM education and dismantling historical biases.50
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OUR GOAL
To foster gender mainstreaming and empower young girls to pursue careers in Nigeria’s solid mineral sector through education, mentorship, and advocacy.
OBJECTIVES
- Introduce young girls to career opportunities in mining through national symposiums.
- Provide education on mining fundamentals as a professional field.
- Break myths and cultural norms that discourage women from the mining industry.
- Encourage young girls to pursue STEM-related courses essential for a thriving mining sector.
- Promote environmental stewardship and respect for natural resources among young girls.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The G4M Initiative envisions:
- Increased enrollment of girls in STEM-related fields within tertiary institutions.
- Enhanced opportunities for secondary school girls in Nigeria’s solid mineral sector.
- A paradigm shift in societal perceptions of women’s roles in mining.
- Mining introduced as part of the secondary school curriculum.
ACTIVITIES
Why We Need You
The G4M Initiative is a call to action for all stakeholders to champion gender equality, empowering young girls to be active players in building Nigeria’s future through the mining sector.
National Symposiums
- The G4M Initiative was launched on March 8, 2022, in celebration of International Women’s Day.
- Attendees included students from 10 secondary schools, government representatives, civil society organizations, media professionals, and industry role models.
Capacity Building
- Workshops and training sessions will be organized in both public and private secondary schools during club activity days to introduce girls to mining opportunities.
Competitions and Conferences
- WIMIN will host debates, quizzes, summer camps, internships, and mentorship programs.
- Activities will be tailored to combat cultural biases while encouraging leadership and interest in mining.
Advocacy
- Collaborations with the Federal Ministry of Education to integrate mining into secondary school curricula.
- Advocacy efforts will extend to sub-national levels to achieve legal backing for these reforms.