Female mining professionals have called for proper development and management of the country’s solid mineral sector to bring about a total turnaround of the Nigerian economy.
The Women in Mining in Nigeria said, “With good development and management practices, the sector can lead to social development and employment opportunities for many people.” They added that increased women participation in the sector would add value.
These were part of the resolutions at the three-day capacity building training with the theme, ‘Safeguarding the rights of women and children in the solid mineral sector in Nigeria’ organised by WIMIN in collaboration with Open Society Initiative for West Africa, which held in Ado Ekiti as a key tool for promoting women’s engagement in safe and sustainable mining practices.
WIMIN President, Janet Adeyemi, said the programme was “to equip women with the requisite knowledge and skills needed to initiate and sustain significant boost in women’s participation and career advancement in mining. We hope that this move will spur a new crop of capable and equipped female mining professionals in the country.”
In the communique at the end of the training signed by WIMIN National Welfare, Regina Edzuwah and Ekiti State Coordinator, Dr Yemisi Ajisafe, the body stated, “Nigeria must therefore take full advantage of the abundance of the diverse mineral resources to grow an all-inclusive economy.”
The professionals advised the Federal Government that such could be achieved “by adopting responsible mining policies hinged on the principles of good governance, sustainability, equity and fairness. Nigeria should close the gender gap and grow its wealth to guarantee better livelihoods for its population.
“Government should take specific actions for women inclusion and should be implemented through the encouragement of women-led mining cooperative societies, integration into the mining sector and overall empowerment.”
They also advised that business organisations should be incorporated into the mining sector to serve as investors who can help reduce the financial burden on women in the extractives sector.
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