From Nabob Ogbonna, Abakiliki
The National President of Women in Mining Nigeria(WIMIN) Mrs Janet Adeyemi yesterday said gender-based violence, land ownership, and huge collateral were still some of the challenges facing women in the mining sector in Nigeria.
She noted that research has indicated that Ebonyi State has three women with foreign licenses and four with exploration licenses in the lead and zinc sectors.
Adeyemi disclosed this on Tuesday during a two days Project Retreat/Review Meeting held in favour of women in mining in Abakiliki, Ebonyi state capital.
She further identified the non-availability of funds as another constraint affecting the advancement of women in the sector.
The National President of WIMIN who was represented by Mrs Ijeoma Bristol, however, expressed optimism that the Ebonyi state government which had adopted a World Bank model for consensual support to women will activate up to 40 per cent of employment opportunities for women including funding in mining.
She stressed that without funding, nothing will advance the performance of women to a greater height.
According to her "women mining is focused on gender mainstreaming, women and children are predominately engaged in working sculptures, machine loaders, backers and service providers.
Her words "Some of the constraints being faced by women in this sector need to be addressed positively. For instance, land ownership, huge collateral, discrimination, and Gender-Based Violence.
"We must remember that women are involved in economic activity and are part of the family, they are not outside of us and their education contribute to the overall welfare of the family and the community.
“It is hoped that Ebonyi State investment law which has adopted a World Bank model for consensual and supports to women will resolve up to 40 per cent of employment opportunities for women including funding because, without funding, nothing will happen.
"This will assist women in mining support for the empowerment of Ebonyi female participation in the sector. They are not competing with the men, their participation should not be considered as competing.
“Also research indicates that in Ebonyi State, there are about three women with foreign licenses and possibly four with exploration licenses in the lead and zinc sectors.
"This is based on several factors such as prejudice against women who seek to improve their finances.
"This results in their unwillingness to venture into the solid mineral sector. The mineral section is one of the future growing sectors that women should be actively involved in”, she stated.
Also, a Legal Adviser of the association, Bar. Nkem Chukwu condemned under-aged children in the industry, stressing that their presence poses health hazards and advancement of their education.
