Women, mining and development: An emerging research agenda

Abstract

This critical review argues that the experiences and perspectives of women in relation to the extractive industries have often been absent from analysis of the impacts of mining in the global South. This paper therefore explores the ways in which women in developing countries are affected by the expansion of extractive industries, bringing together a dispersed literature, scattered across disciplines and relating to geographically diverse locations, in order to provide a comprehensive overview of key debates in relation to women and mining, and generate momentum for a new research agenda in this area. The review concentrates on four key intersecting areas -women as mineworkers; the gendered impacts of mining, and specifically the disproportionately negative impacts on women; women's changing roles and identities in communities affected by mining; and finally gendered inequalities in relation to the benefits of mining.

Rice, sapphires and cattle: Work lives of women artisanal and small-scale miners in Madagascar

“…It is time to move beyond a stereotypical homogenous view of women in ASM to 'a far more real picture of diversity, opportunism and agency' (Mahy 2011: 61). Jenkins (2014), in the most thorough review to date of women in mining (both large-and small-scale), argued that the role of women in ASM has generally been under-theorised and under-recognised, and that this is a key issue in terms of understanding the role of the mining sector in relation to development of poor communities in the Global South. A challenge for researchers is to go beyond factual accounts and single case studies of women's activities to 'develop strong critiques of the gendered dynamics and power relations at work ' (ibid.…”

A good business or a risky business: Health, safety and quality of life for women small-scale miners in PNG

“…While women's mining contributions are often in ancillary roles such as food vendors, sex workers and other service providers, these roles are performed in addition to their domestic responsibilities, often making their contribution 'less visible', and therefore less recognised and valued (Lahiri-Dutt 2006, 2012. A comprehensive literature critique by Jenkins (2014) provides valuable insight into the ways women are affected by ASM mining activities, with the author highlighting a lack of in-depth analysis of women's diverse experiences as mine workers across a number of parameters, including gender impacts of mining, changing gender dynamics and gender inequalities in mining communities.…”

“…Many authors argue that the health effects of environmental pollution are disproportionately felt by women miners because of their role as primary carers responsible for the health of their families, and as agriculturalists and miners. Women's reproductive role increases their vulnerability to mercury and other heavy metals in water and food supplies, with mercury known to severely affect foetal development (Hinton et al 2003;Lahiri-Dutt 2006;Van Hoecke 2006;Hayes 2008;Simatauw 2009;Jenkins 2014).…”

Extractives and Sustainable Community Development: A Comparative Study of Women’s Livelihood Assets in the Americas

“…This growth has given rise to complexities such as the livelihood options for women in resource-rich regions. Studies show that women who live in communities adjacent to extractive operations are adversely impacted by mine development and have fewer livelihood options (Bashwira, Cuvelier, & Hilhorst, 2013;Jenkins, 2014;see Lahiri-Dutt, 2013;O'Faircheallaigh, 2013). With the recognition that resources such as minerals and metals are non-renewable and the extraction is finite, it is necessary for industry actors to engage with women who live adjacent to extractive operations, to fashion sustainable livelihoods in these resource-rich regions (Franco, 2014;Kunkel, 2014).…”