Speaking on the sidelines of a recent workshop, Otilia Murefu, the
Chairperson of Zimbabwe Women’s Development Trust, said it was
difficult for women to acquire mining claims.
“Males are dominating the mining sector and women are being denied
opportunities to own mining claims. There is too much corruption by
the responsible authorities and mining opportunities in this country
are only enjoyed by male Zanu (PF) bigwigs. Women are stigmatized but they should be given equal
opportunities in mining,” said Murefu.
“This has been an area of major concern. We are working towards
engaging the responsible authorities in mining and indigenisation so
that we demystify what indigenisation is all about. We want women to
take part in the process and this issue of empowering women should not
be politicised. We want this to be handled on a non-partisan manner
and we hope that all women will benefit.”
Murefu also said ZWDT was calling for a 50-50 representation of women
in all key government institutions.
“We are hoping to create dialogue with all the key stakeholders to
make sure that women’s concerns are addressed. We need to be involved
in all the key mining and
indigenisation processes,” said Murefu.
Women’s groups represented at the workshop said they needed a stake in
Marange diamond fields, a move they said would economically
empower them.
Contacted for a comment, Godwills Masimirembwa, the Chairman for
Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation. encouraged women to apply for
mining licences.
“As ZMDC we do not operate in the Marange Diamond fields. We have
other mines that we operate on our own. We apply for mining
concessions through the
government. I urge the women to apply for the mining rights and
licenses from the Ministry of Mines. They would then raise the
required capital from financial institutions or create
partnerships with other players. What I know is that there are some
women who have benefited from mining,” he said.
In an interview last week, the Publicity Secretary for Zimbabwe Women’s Rights Association, Catherine Munhanzi, said women should persevere in bringing about changes in the political and economic platforms.
“In some countries, the economic empowerment of women could not happen unless there were changes, even radical ones, to the economic profile. Women will stagnate if they are not drawn into a new economic environment, or if there are no changes to the way they eke out a living,” she added.
She said women needed to push the government to create the necessary enabling environment for investment and business, and a charter of good national governance.
“A good government should give women positions that they deserve and, in the context of justice, transparency, equity and fairness, give women their due rights. The charter should call for the implementation of policies which are pro-growth and development and for these policies to be gender sensitive,” she said, adding that numerous resolutions for the advancement of women agreed upon by the ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development were in limbo.
Post published in: Business