On International Women’s Day in 2019, dozens of women artisanal gold miners flooded the streets of Mambasa in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) singing and dancing in joy. The Network for the Empowerment of Women in Mining Communities (known by the French acronym REAFECOM), the first association of women artisanal miners in DRC’s Ituri Province, was less than a year old and proud to highlight their unified voice.
The following year, as COVID-19 hit, REAFECOM helped women in the community face the pandemic, ensuring their overall well-being and security.
When developing responsible sourcing initiatives, supporting women to come together in associations such as REAFECOM might not be the first thing we think of. But women working together can break barriers and lead the way to more responsible practices in the once traditionally male-dominated world of artisanal mining.
Gender Equality Integral to Sustainable Development
Within the intricate tapestry of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) communities, gender equality is crucial for sustainable development. Yet, women endure systemic marginalisation and discrimination, hindering their full participation within these communities. Despite significant contributions to the sector, women often find themselves sidelined, their labour undervalued and their voices silenced – further perpetuating gender inequality and impeding inclusive growth.
Among the most glaring challenges women face is the disparity in remuneration compared to their male counterparts. Despite performing the same tasks, women frequently receive lower wages, reflecting deep-seated gender bias within the sector. Moreover, women encounter limited access to higher-paying positions, with opportunities for career progression disproportionately favouring men. This lack of upward mobility prolongs the cycle of marginalisation, depriving women of the chance to fully realise their potential within the sector.
In addition, women in ASM grapple with precarious payment arrangements that further compound their vulnerability. Many women are subject to exploitative practices, such as receiving non-monetary compensation or enduring delayed payments for their labour. These arrangements continue to undermine their economic security and enhance dependence.
ASM: The Pathway to Economic Freedom
Nevertheless, for many women, the sector represents a transformative pathway to economic freedom and self-sufficiency. They gain agency over their livelihoods, enabling them to exert control over their financial resources and futures.
The emergence of women’s collectives in ASM communities marks a significant shift towards empowerment and inclusivity. Collectives often arise in response to specific challenges and barriers faced by women. They stand as a powerful response, ensuring that women’s needs are met and their voices are heard, ultimately driving progress within the sector.
These collectives take various forms depending on community-specific dynamics. In some cases, they consist of informal networks of women who unite to share resources, provide mutual support and advocate for their rights within the community.
In other instances, they may be established as formal organisations with clear structures, leadership roles and official mandates. These collectives can help set up savings and loan programmes, organise training workshops, or lobby for policy changes within the community or at the national level.
For instance, at the Kayonza Mine Site in Uganda, 30 women miners have formed a mining association where each member contributes an equal portion of gold, which is collectively sold on a weekly basis at a higher price. The association stemmed from the realisation that trying to enter the market alone as a woman came with challenges. Now, the group can negotiate better prices and improve their overall financial situation.
In various contexts, Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) offer an opportunity for women to access financial services and engage in collective savings and lending activities. IMPACT has observed how VSLAs play a critical role in the gradual development of more formal mining and women’s associations.
Structured VSLAs empower women to actively participate in economic decision-making and establish the groundwork for greater collective action and advocacy within the mining sector.
It’s how REAFECOM in DRC’s Ituri Province was born.
A community volunteer provides literacy and financial coaching to members in her Village and Savings Association, as part of IMPACT’s AFECCOR project in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s northeastern Ituri Province. Zuzia Danielski/IMPACT.
The Power of the Collective
In 2018, IMPACT supported the creation of 50 VSLAs through the AFECCOR project in Mambasa territory. REAFECOM was established by the women members of the VSLAs who wanted to work together to have their interests as women artisanal miners represented and promote women’s rights in the local community.
REAFECOM was particularly concerned with women’s security, including gender-based violence – turning this into a focus area for the group. With IMPACT’s support, REAFECOM’s members received training on conflict mediation and resolution. Sixty-three conflicts were peacefully resolved through women-led mediation sessions, most frequently related to domestic violence. They also began accompanying survivors of rape in the community to access health care, psychological support and legal services. More than 70 survivors – including 35 minors – were supported.
Women’s security – whether economic, emotional or physical – can ultimately spill over into their work within supply chains. As we’ve seen in the artisanal cobalt sector, women’s poverty and insecurity are a driving force behind child labour. While some associations such as REAFECOM focus on community development and wellbeing – they are a key collaborator in ensuring responsible sourcing from artisanal miners. Not only are they advocating for women’s needs, addressing issues such as access to land, improved incomes and human rights, they also promote economic empowerment and help set women miners on the path towards formalisation.
We’ve seen how participating in an association such as REAFECOM can provide women with the confidence and skills towards developing more robust supply chain practices, including participating on mining cooperative boards or leading trainings on environmental and human rights issues at mine sites.
As we continue to champion a more inclusive and responsible future for the artisanal gold sector, it is imperative that we take concrete actions to support and amplify women’s voices. This starts with recognising their valuable contributions to the sector and ensuring their meaningful participation in all levels of decision-making. Fostering collaboration among stakeholders is essential for building stronger, more resilient ASM communities where women are empowered. This can be achieved through initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment, provide access to resources and training, and support the creation of women-led organisations and networks.
We also need to recognise that small steps can lead to large impacts over time. Responsible sourcing from an artisanal mine site can’t happen without understanding and addressing the impacts of the community behind it. We know that women are the heartbeat of communities.
Supporting them to take collective action to address the needs of their community, like we’ve seen with REAFECOM, can set us on the path towards progress.
Artisanal gold miners crush ore in Central Uganda. Ibrahim Biko/IMPACT.
Members of REAFECOM, the first association of women artisanal miners in DRC’s Ituri Province, march in a parade celebrating International Women’s Day in Mambasa. Zuzia Danielski/IMPACT.
