Tanzania government urges mining firms to consider more women in the mining industry
The Minister for Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, Jerry Silaa (second left), presents an award to GGML resource evaluation manager, Janeth Luponelo, for the company's contribution to gender issues. Others from left include Minister of Minerals, Anthony Mavunde, Morogoro Regional Commissioner Adam Malima, Kagera Regional Commissioner Fatma Mwassa, and GGML Vice President for Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Simon Shayo. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Globally, women's participation in the mining sector is estimated to be between 14 percent and 16 percent.
Dar es Salaam. The Minister for Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, Mr Jerry Silaa, spoke at the event and emphasized the importance of mining companies adhering to the principle of 'local content' as stipulated in the changes to the mining law. This involves considering the participation of women in procurement-related issues.
Mr. Slaa explained that by involving Tanzanian nationals in the value chain, mining companies have the opportunity to involve women in various purchases.
According to him, the purchases represent a larger budget than even the taxes paid to the government.
“I believe that women involved in the mining sector have made a great contribution to the development of the economy and the national income,” he said.
Mr Slaa was speaking during the Pre-International Women's Day celebrations in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Geita Gold Mining Ltd.'s (GGML) vice president for sustainability and corporate affairs, Mr Simon Shayo, urged companies to implement policies and guidelines that promote gender equality in the workplace as a key to increasing the number of women employed in the mining sector.
Globally, women's participation in the mining sector is estimated to be between 14 percent and 16 percent.
Mr Shayo said GGML - a subsidiary of AngloGold Ashanti - has a female workforce that accounts for 13 percent.
"We have been operating the mine without the presence of women in high management positions, but now there are some who have crossed borders and become managers of the sector in various companies," he said.
Mr Shayo proposed a recruitment procedure that prioritizes women. 'If employment is split equally between men and women, women should be given priority in interviews,' he said.
Since the launch of the Female Future Programme in 2016, which trains female managers, GGML has sponsored 23 women to complete training and funded advanced leadership training for female employees through the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE), he said.
Mr Shayo stated that women in the mining industry should be prioritized and trained and that they should possess courage, determination, and stability to succeed in the male-dominated sector.
