WIMIN conference aimed to stop child labour in mining sector

WIMIN conference aimed to stop child labour in mining sector: Women in Mining Nigeria, a leading women’s rights group in the solid minerals sector, recently held a

two-day policy dialogue series in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi state. The event, which was themed “Safeguarding

the Rights of Women and Children in the Solid Minerals Sector,” aimed to foster collaboration and build

synergy to protect the rights of women and children in the mining sector in Kogi state.

The policy dialogue series, which was funded by the Open Society Foundation (OSF) in collaboration

with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), brought together stakeholders in the mining,

human rights, legal, security, and environmental sectors to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and engagement. The objective was to identify common ground to ensure that women and children impacted

by the mining sector were protected.

WIMIN conference aimed to stop child labour in mining sector:The guest Speaker

One of the guest speakers at the event, Dr. Charles Adebayo Oyelami, the Head of the Department of

Geology at the Federal University Oye, presented a paper titled “Addressing Gender-based Violence and Harassment in the Solid Mineral Sector: The Role of Stakeholders.” Dr. Oyelami highlighted the need for stakeholders, including security agencies, to unite against the violence targeting mining workers and

professionals. He further advised mining workers to report any harassment or attempted harassment to the relevant authorities.

According to Engr Janet Adeyemi, the President and Founder of Women in Mining Nigeria,

the event brought together experts from various relevant sectors to deliberate on policy initiatives

and ideas to address the challenges faced by women and children in and around the mining sector.

She noted that women and children in mining communities are often subjected to hard labor and abuse,

whether they are actively involved in mining or not. The event was an opportunity to find ways to protect their rights.

The Gratitude

Engr Janet Adeyemi expressed gratitude to the OSF and other bodies, such as the NHRC, for supporting

the event and partnering with Women in Mining Nigeria to provide a shield and succor to the most

vulnerable groups in the mining sector.

Kogi state is blessed with an abundance of mineral resources, including coal, gemstones, iron ore,

and more. However, women in mining communities are often not given adequate remuneration or

recognition for their work. In many cases, they are subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse. The policy dialogue series was aimed at finding ways to protect their rights and those of their children.