Promoting Women’s Right to Development through Artisanal Mining: The African Experience

Africa is one of the most naturally endowed continents with immense renewable and non-renewable resources ranging from timber, fisheries, oil and rich mineral deposits which inter alia include diamonds, gold, platinum, nickel, lithium and chrome. The natural environment has sustained humanity since its creation and this role cannot be over emphasised. The attainment of global, regional and development frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Agendas 2030 and 2063 all depend on the sustainable utilisation of natural resources. All these frameworks call for inclusive development and it therefore, becomes imperative for all humanity, regardless of gender, age, race etc. to be involved in any development initiative that impacts on their well-being. In Africa and beyond, the mining sector has become a key driver of socio-economic development. However, several challenges such as unequal opportunities due to systematic gender discrimination and gender blind regulatory frameworks have undermined the active and meaningful participation of women in this sector. Fundamental women’s rights, especially the right to development have largely been violated. The concept of the Right to Development underpins this research as it advocates for inclusive development. It boldly states that development is a human right which should be exercised by everyone and that it is the duty of the government to ensure that this right is not violated. Through the use of critical document and empirical case study analyses, the paper aims at revealing the extent to which women’s rights are being recognised and promoted in the extractives industry, particularly the artisanal gold mining sector. Consequently, the research thrives to proffer strategies which ensure that gender responsive mechanisms are put in place and women’s rights are promoted within the artisanal mining sector as this is critical for the attainment of the SDGs and the broad agendas for Africa’s socio-economic transformation.