Mining & Trade News

By Modester Mwalija

Women in Malawi’s mining industry play an essential but often overlooked role. Despite their significant contributions to day to day livelihood, their potential remains largely untapped due to systemic challenges that hinder their progress.

In an interview with Mining and Trade Review, President of the Federation of Women and Youth in Mining (FWYM) Flore-Annie Kamanga explained that across the country, particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASMs), women encounter limited access to resources, face health and safety risks and are restricted by cultural norms to pursue some vital roles in the trade.

“The reality is that most women in ASM are doing the hard, manual labour and they work long hours for very little pay. The conditions are often dangerous, leaving women vulnerable to exploitation,” she said.

Kamanga added that women in ASM also face significant challenges when it comes to accessing resources, technology, and training, making it difficult for them to improve their productivity or move beyond low-income activities.

 “Women have very little access to the resources they need, whether it is financial support or access to better technology and this limits their ability to grow in the industry.”

She also said that health and safety risks are another critical concern as women miners often work in hazardous conditions without adequate safety measures or protective equipment, exposing them to higher risks of injury and illness.

“Lack of protective gear is a major issue as many women are working in environments where they are exposed to harmful chemicals and dangerous conditions, and they do not have the necessary equipment to protect themselves.”

She explained that cultural norms further restrict women’s opportunities in the mining industry. These norms often prevent women from accessing higher-paying, skilled jobs, leaving them in roles that offer less financial reward and fewer opportunities for advancement.

“There is still a belief that women do not fit in certain roles in mining especially in the higher-skilled, better-paying jobs,”

Despite these obstacles, there has been some progress in raising awareness to, among other things, include more women in technical and leadership roles. However, Kamanga pointed out that progress remains slow, with gender disparities still prevalent across the sector.

“We are seeing some movement, but it is not enough, there is still a lot of work to be done to close the gender gap.”

Kamanga explained that advocacy groups and NGOs, including the Federation of Women and Youth in Mining, are working hard to promote women’s rights and improve their working conditions.

“We are doing everything we can to empower women in the mining sector and we are advocating for their rights, pushing for better conditions.”

Government has come up with several policies to address suich issues such as the National Gender Policy (2015) and the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III), both of which stress on gender equality and women’s empowerment. However, according to Kamanga, the effectiveness of these policies remains mixed.

“The policies are there, but implementation is where the challenge lies so we need stronger enforcement and better monitoring to make sure these policies are actually benefiting women on the ground.”

Looking forward, Kamanga outlined several key goals for the Federation of Women and Youth in Mining. One of the organization’s primary objectives is to advocate for higher female representation across all levels of the mining industry, from artisanal miners to executives in large mining companies.

“We want to see more women in leadership roles as we are pushing for gender quotas and more inclusive hiring practices to make sure women have equal opportunities,” she said.

Kamanga further said that another goal is to provide women and youth with the skills and education they need to participate meaningfully in the sector.

She said: “The importance of technical training, business management, and leadership development in empowering women to succeed in mining cannot be overemphasized.”

“Education and skills training are crucial, and there is a need to equip women with the tools they need to thrive in this industry.”

FWYM is also committed to influencing national and local policies to better protect and empower women in mining. Kamanga explained that the organization is advocating for stronger enforcement of gender equality provisions and greater support for women miners.

“We need the government to step up and ensure that the laws meant to protect women are enforced,” she said.

Kamanga highlighted that FWYM is building a network of women in mining; providing a platform for them to share resources, experiences, and support, noting the importance of mentorship programs and access to finance for women-led mining enterprises.

 “We need to create a strong community where women can help each other succeed in so doing we can significantly boost women’s participation in the industry,” she said.

She also observed that cultural change is essential for the future of women in Malawi’s mining sector. Through outreach, education campaigns, and partnerships with traditional leaders, FWYM is working to shift perceptions about women’s roles in mining and reduce gender-based discrimination.

Kamanga said: “We need to change how people view women in mining as this is not just about policy – it’s about changing mindsets.”

Besides gender inequality, other problems in small-scale mining sites include child labour, alcoholism, prostitution. marriage breakages and children dropping out of school.

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