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“Choosing to Challenge” Gender Inequity in ASGM

Members of the planetGOLD global team raise their hands to share why they challenge gender inequalities in ASGM

By planetGOLD

March 7^th, 2021

The theme of this year's International Women's Day is #ChooseToChallenge — a call to recognize and call out gender bias and inequality wherever it exists.

Despite making up 30% of the global artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) workforce, women's work is often undervalued and impeded. Women working in artisanal and small-scale gold mining generally face discrimination at all stages of the ASGM value chain.

In solidarity with people all over the world taking up the call to challenge inequalities women face, project staff, miners, and partner government officials from many of our GEF-funded planetGOLD country projects raised their hands to share why they choose to call out gender inequalities and work toward equal opportunity for all, as part of their efforts to achieve more responsible artisanal and small-scale gold mining around the globe.

Scroll below to view the pledges from each country (in reverse alphabetical order).

Philippines

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because unfair norms hinder women from reaching their economic potential."

Abigail Ocate, National Project Manager, planetGOLD Philippines, Artisanal Gold Council

“Choosing to Challenge” Gender Inequity in ASGM

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because women have a big role to play in the development of mining communities."

Henry Salvado, Exporation Geologist, planetGOLD Philippines, Artisanal Gold Council

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because women have amazing potential to be leaders and mentors in their respective communities."

Jacklyn Belo-Enricoso, Gender Specialist, planetGOLD Philippines, Artisanal Gold Council

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because I believe that women's initiatives and contributions are incredibly beneficial for the community."

Peter Espiritu, National Finance Manager Assistant, planetGOLD Philippines, Artisanal Gold Council

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because when you cultivate women's leadership potential in miners' associations, you maximize the potential for innovation and inclusivity."

Kristal Jaylo, Investment Specialist, planetGOLD Philippines, Artisanal Gold Council

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because when you empower a woman, the domino effect translates to the empowerment of the community."

Michelle Manza, National Project Manager Assistant, planetGOLD Philippines, Artisanal Gold Council

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because of the sex-based division of work and traditional patriarchal patterns only get in the way of equal opportunity."

Louie Bedes, Metallurgical Engineer/National Project Technical Expert, planetGOLD Philippines, Artisanal Gold Council

Mongolia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because the opportunities should be equally provided to everyone regardless of their gender."

Myagmarsuren D, Local ASGM community in Tunkhel village, Mandal soum, Selenge province

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because many women in ASGM operation are under pressure of double work burden starting from taking care of their children to household chores. So, I stand with all those strong-hearted women who are shooting off all the pressure they receive."

Chimedregzen S, Project Manager Assistant, planetGOLD Mongolia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because it is important for women and men to have equal responsibilities and social standing."

Myadagbadam Ch, Local ASGM community in Yusunbulag soum, Gobi-Altai province

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM for equal opportunity for women and men to receive education. Because women are likely to pay more attention to their education compared to the men participating in ASGM operations."

Namuun Ts, Communications Assistant, planetGOLD Mongolia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because I hope everybody will be provided with equal opportunities to work in any stage of ASGM operations."

Munkhsaikhan B, Local ASGM community in Tunkhel village, Mandal soum, Selenge province

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because women and men should be able to make financial decisions equally."

Munkhtseren T, Finance Assistant, planetGOLD Mongolia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM for equal rights in ASGM."

Munkhzaya P, Local ASGM community in Altai soum, Khovd province

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because even though I haven’t seen any woman working underground in the exploration process, at the processing plants, usually women perform the most detail-oriented and most demanding tasks. So, I think that women are able to participate in ASGM equally as men are except for the jobs that require intense physical labor."

Byambasuren O, Technologist Engineer, planetGOLD Mongolia

Kenya

"I #ChooseToChallenge weak gender empowerment strategies in ASGM sector denying women opportunities to gainfully contribute to the economy."

Dr. Lucy Ngángá, Assistant Director, Department of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Ministry of Environment and Forestry Kenya

"I #ChooseToChallenge access to, use of and control over resourceful land and other productive resources, licenses, finance by women in ASGM sector."

Mayiani Saino, Project Manager, planetGOLD Kenya

"I #ChooseToChallenge the absence of women from decision making such as mining cooperatives or as mine license holder in the ASGM sector."

Juma Wekesa, Support Staff, planetGOLD Kenya

"I #ChooseToChallenge the marginalization of women in the gold value chains."

Sharon Chelangat, Project Assistant, planetGOLD Kenya

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because it exacerbates discrimination and violence against women resulting in gross violation of human rights."

Kathy Njuguna, Project Intern, planetGOLD Kenya

"I #ChooseToChallenge because women play a vital role in the gold mining process despite the harsh environmental conditions they are exposed to."

Patrick Kiprono, Finance Officer, planetGOLD Kenya

Indonesia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because I want to be appreciated and involved in this community. As a woman miner, I am the main breadwinner in the family. I strive to protect my family from hazardous pollution by avoiding mercury usage in the mining process."

Hadijah Husein, Miner from North Gorontalo, Indonesia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM for creating an equal opportunity for women to grow up in ASGM sector."

Marni B. Koni, Head of Hulawa Village in North Gorontalo District, Indonesia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM for the opportunity to educate women miners into better small-scale mining entrepreneurs who respect the environmental, social, health, and economic structures in their communities."

Baiq Dewi Krisnayanti, Project Manager of planetGOLD Indonesia

Ecuador

"In Portovelo, one of the main mining areas of Ecuador, I #ChooseToChallenge to lead sustainable development projects that allow women to have economic alternatives to mining. We went from mining to goldsmithing, offering the world our greatest treasure, jewels inspired by our culture."

Karla Alvarado, President of the goldsmith association ASORF

"We have a lot of work to do in the sector and I #ChooseToChallenge to promote, foster, and generate spaces in which women and men are equals and achieve common goals."

Juan Balarezo Peralta, Representative of mining families involved in family garden project, AJUP

"As women that select mineral, we #ChooseToChallenge to lead community processes to make our voices heard and participate in the construction of sustainable proposals, which contribute to our development and that of our families, taking care of the environment."

Andrea Medieta, Janchera (female mineral selector), Member of the AJUP association

Click on the image to learn more about Andrea's story

Colombia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM to prevent women from suffering sexual harassment."

Mónica Galeano Velasco, Gender Specialist, planetGOLD Colombia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM so that men and women can have equal recognition and access to opportunities."

Karen Álvarez Riascos, Regional liaison professional in ASGM, planetGOLD Colombia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM so that women miners can access formalization and have economic autonomy."

Fabio Santos Quintero, Regional liaison professional in ASGM, planetGOLD Colombia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM to contribute to the construction of a fairer society with decent conditions for everybody."

Diana Gonzalez, Communications support consultant, planetGOLD Colombia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM so that mining is recognized as an activity that is traditional and, now, inclusive."

Jesús Nieves Bermudez, Regional liaison professional in ASGM, planetGOLD Colombia

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because we want a country with equity."

Diana Lopez, Professional Environmental Management, Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cauca, a partner organization of the planetGOLD Colombia project

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because I believe in innovation."

Sandra Bulla, Engineer in Water Resources and Environmental Management, Portex-Pominera, a partner organization of the planetGOLD Colombia project

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because we need an equal and dignified social construction."

Luis Ossa, Mining Engineer, Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cauca, a partner organization of the planetGOLD Colombia project

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because the question is not who is going to let me but who could stop me."

Angelica Barraza, Mining Engineer, Regional Autonomous Corporation of Sur de Bolivar, a partner organization of the planetGOLD Colombia project

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because I understand that when the whole world is silent, even a single voice becomes powerful."

Saydi Teresa Martínez, Environmental Engineer, Regional Autonomous Corporation of Sur de Bolivar, a partner organization of the planetGOLD Colombia project

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities in ASGM because if a woman lets go of her fears, she will have more space to live her dreams."

Cindy Comas, Chemical Engineer, Regional Autonomous Corporation of Sur de Bolivar, a partner organization of the planetGOLD Colombia project

Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because the exploitation of mineral resources must benefit every member of the community."

Roger Baro, Director of Pollution and Environmental Risk Prevention, Ministry of Environment, Green Economy and Climate Change / Minamata Convention on Mercury Focal Point

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because men and women complement each other for the work in ASGM."

Ouedraogo Boukari, Sluice worker, Gnikpière mine, Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because everybody must invest in building peace."

Mireille Yougbare, National Finance Assistant, planetGOLD Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because everyone has the right to express their merits in all stages of production for sustainable development."

Moussa Bouboucari, Geology and Concession Specialist, planetGOLD Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because a woman’s income is for the family."

Hien K. Edith, Sluice worker, Gnikpière mine, Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because a woman remains the best link to impact the living conditions of the family unit and by extension improve the life of the community."

Janvier Dabiré, Investment Specialist, planetGOLD Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because the role of women in the ASM sector is crucial for sustainable rural development."

Anna Bugmann, Office Manager, planetGOLD Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because men and women have to work together and make their income together."

Zoré Tidiane

, Pit owner, Gnikpière mine, Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because a woman works for the family."

Hien Elodie, Sluice worker, Gnikpière mine, Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because it’s the woman who makes the man."

Somé Kasoan, Gnikpière Village counselor, community leader and pit owner, Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because a woman gives what gold can never buy: LIFE."

Adama Ouedraogo, Coordinator of Field Activities and Community Relations, planetGOLD Burkina Faso

"I #ChooseToChallenge gender inequalities because a woman is and remains the source of a man's resource."

Sadraki Yabre, National Policy Analyst, planetGOLD Burkina Faso

Footnotes

Photos courtesy of planetGOLD project staff in Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, and the Philippines

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FootNotes

Photos courtesy of planetGOLD project staff in Burkina Faso, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Mongolia, and the Philippines

GOLD WITHOUT MERCURY

In southern Peru, women and men in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) are promoting mercury-free, responsible, and inclusive mining.

Read

Working to "Inspire Inclusion" of Women in Responsible Small-Scale Gold Mining

Members of the planetGOLD global team reflect on equitable opportunities for women

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Storytelling Empowers Indonesian Students to Stamp Out Mercury Use

June 24^th, 2022

Read

“Choosing to Challenge” Gender Inequity in ASGM

Members of the planetGOLD global team raise their hands to share why they challenge gender inequalities in ASGM

FootNotes

Intergenerational actions for responsible artisanal mining in the north of Peru

Acciones intergeneracionales para una minería artesanal responsable en el norte del Perú

En el sur del Perú, las mujeres y hombres de la MAPE están impulsando una minería sin mercurio, responsable e inclusiva.

In southern Peru, women and men in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) are promoting mercury-free, responsible, and inclusive mining.

Members of the planetGOLD global team reflect on equitable opportunities for women

June 24^th, 2022

FootNotes

Intergenerational actions for responsible artisanal mining in the north of Peru

Acciones intergeneracionales para una minería artesanal responsable en el norte del Perú

En el sur del Perú, las mujeres y hombres de la MAPE están impulsando una minería sin mercurio, responsable e inclusiva.

In southern Peru, women and men in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) are promoting mercury-free, responsible, and inclusive mining.

Members of the planetGOLD global team reflect on equitable opportunities for women

June 24th, 2022

June 24^th, 2022