MutConsult is proud to have collaborated with Pact and the World Bank to contribute to the 2023 State of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Sector report. This landmark report highlights the pressing need for gender equality within ASM, a sector where women represent approximately 30% of the global ASM workforce, with an estimated 13.4 million women working in direct and indirect roles across the value chain. Despite their significant contributions, women in ASM face severe challenges, including exclusion from higher-earning roles and underrepresentation in mining leadership.

The report includes a groundbreaking legal framework analysis.

The report undertakes a gender assessment of legal frameworks (relevant ASM laws, regulations, policies, and initiatives) of 21 countries to determine whether they are gender blind or gender neutral and inhibit or promote women’s participation in mining (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines).

The 2023 State of the Sector finds that most mining codes around the world are gender blind or gender neutral and do not contain stipulations to enhance women’s participation in ASM.

Geographical coverage and gender disaggregation of the 2023 State of the Sector Report Survey and legal analysis

Key findings from the report shed light on the critical gender disparities that persist in ASM. Broadly, the report makes the following recommendations to governments.

RECOMMENDATION 1: MAKE MINING LAWS AND ECONOMIC POLICIES GENDER INCLUSIVE

• The lack of gender-sensitive language in national laws is hindering gender equality in ASM.
• Governments are increasingly recognizing the importance of women in ASM.
• Capacity development and financial support are crucial areas that require immediate atten- tion to enable government officials to advance gender equality in the ASM sector.

RECOMMENDATION 2: ADVANCE WOMEN’S SOCIAL PROTECTIONS AT THE MINE AND HOME

KEY FINDINGS

• Women are being included by government in ASM development initiatives, increasing women’s participation and improving perceptions of them in ASM.
• ASM support initiatives need to consider how to reduce disparities in domestic work performed by women versus men.
• Gender-specific ASM networks and associations are critical to improving women’s visi- bility in ASM and advancing gender equality.
• Governments lack a reporting mechanism to monitor GBV in ASM communities.

RECOMMENDATION 3: ACCOUNT FOR GENDERED DIFFERENCES IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY EFFORTS AT MINE SITES

KEY FINDINGS

• Women in ASM are being exposed to an increasing number of negative environmental impacts.
• There is limited availability of maternal health and sexual health and reproductive care near mine sites and mining communities.
• Girls are at a disproportionately higher risk of child marriage in ASM communities than boys.

MutConsult is honored to have contributed to this critical report and remains committed to advancing gender equality and sustainable practices in ASM. The report represents a major step toward ensuring that women in mining receive the recognition, support, and opportunities they deserve as key drivers of economic and social development.

For more information on the report and its findings, visit the Delve platform and explore how MutConsult and other industry partners are working to close the gender gap in ASM.