National High-Level Policy Dialogue to Commence Oct. 12

Following a series of engagements across several states in the country, Women in Mining Nigeria is set to hold a National High-Level Policy Dialogue in Abuja, the nation’s capital. With the theme, “Mainstreaming Gender in the Solid Mineral Sector”, the move comes as an attempt to consolidate on the discussions and resolutions reached with stakeholders in the different states of the country.

The event, scheduled for 12th and 13th of October 2022, will be held at the Broadfield Hotel in the Apo area of Gudu District in Abuja. The dialogue will draw participation from federal and state government officials, Policy makers, industry players, traditional rulers, academics, and other stakeholders in the solid minerals sector.

President of Women in Mining Nigeria, Hon. Janet Adeyemi noted that for true change to happen, there’s need to synergise. “We cannot work in silos if we intend to make the mining and extractive industries conducive for all groups, especially women. We have been to different states, including Kogi, Ebonyi, Edo, Osun, Taraba, and several others in recent weeks and we have engaged those on the Policy side and those on the fields.

“We have discussed extensively, provided enlightenment and education to stakeholders where necessary, and also listened to them to have a better understanding of the issues. With this national dialogue, we want to aggregate all these various issues and find a pathway for Nigeria, where Mining is comprehensive, and done with equity, justice, and fairness to achieve prosperity for the common man and the nation at large”, she said.

The event will look at key concerns in the sector as they relate to gender, with other subthemes including Gender and Child Labour, as well as Human Rights Violation in the Nigerian Solid Mineral sector. These issues will be extensively dissected by top speakers and panelists to find useful solutions to the myriad of socioeconomic challenges in the sector.

It is expected that this national policy dialogue will provide the platform for progressive discussions which will open up better horizons for inter-sectoral collaborations, engagements and collective action for sustainable change in the sector.