Socio-Economic Factors and Women Participation in Mining: a Case of Rwanda Mining

Abstract

This report presents a study conducted in Rwanda Mining Association to assess Socio-Economic Factors and Women Participation in Rwandan Mining Projects. Specific objectives for the study were: To investigate the effect of socio-cultural and economic factors on women participation in mining projects; Determine the influence of company management procedures on women participation in mining project; and to examine the impact of mine sites working and living conditions on women participation in mining projects. Using purposive and simple random sampling technique, the target population of 835 workers (676 men and 159 women) was selected from 30 mining companies. The sample size of 270 respondents including 51 women and 219 men was also selected. Collected data was analysed through SPSS software using chi-square and regression models. It was found that socio-cultural beliefs and Socio-economic factors have negative relationship with women participation in mining. Company management procedures (recruitment, workers’ promotion, and skills development and job allocation procedures) applied in human resources management were also found to have negative effect on women participation in mining. The nature of mining work places, working and living conditions in terms of occupational Safety and Health (OSH) of workers do not facilitate women integration in mining. Female workers face particular challenges such as being fired once they get pregnant and lack of work contracts. If mining is to contribute for poverty reduction by eliminating inequality in accessing economic benefits in rural areas between men and women, all these factors should be addressed in a manner favourable to women. More sensitizations are recommended for community to promote good understanding on equal sharing of economic resources between men and women. Improved work environment is needed for both men and women. As in other sector of activity, women’s rights associated with employment should be respected as well.

Key words: Culture, Gender equality; gender mainstreaming; Mining, Mining Project

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-18-08

Publication date:September 30^th 2020