Gender Equality
Women are disproportionately burdened by the costs and impacts of the mining industry while harvesting minimal benefits. The reasons are complex and include longstanding social norms and economic inequalities. The absence of regulatory frameworks and sector-specific gender equality policies means women are continually excluded from decision-making processes in mining, which being underrepresented in the mining workforce, and face discrimination on mine sites. As a driving force for sustainable livelihoods, communities, and environments, women’s meaningful participation in mining is critical to move the sector towards sustainability.
The IGF works with communities, governments, industry, and academia to develop and implement mining-specific gender equality policies, programs, and frameworks. IGF’s publications leverage its expertise to promote evidence-based best practices, challenges, and recommendations to foster gender equality in mining.
Our Work on Gender

Gender Responsive Policies in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining
Exploring the ILO’s Gender-Disaggregated Data on Mining Employment

Fostering Advocates for Gender and Mining Governance in 133 Nations

IGF’s New Resources Look at ASM Through a Gender Lens

Gender in Mining Governance: An annotated bibliography for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)

Gendered Impacts of COVID-19 on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM)
Establishing Baseline Data for Women and the Mine of the Future

Growing Skills to Advance Gender Governance in Mining in 90 Countries

IGF-RMF Webinar | Regulatory Tools for Gender Equality in Mining
New Tech and Mining’s Future: Will prospects improve for women?

Gender and Mining Governance E-Learning Course
Five Ways Mining Policy-Makers Can Support Gender Equality through Community Development

Gender in Mining Governance: Opportunities for policy-makers
This report provides governments with a series of 25 policy options that will help ensure their mining frameworks support the social and economic advancement of women while minimizing the risks and negative impacts of mining operations in their countries.

Gender in Mining Governance: An annotated bibliography for large-scale mining
In this extensive mapping, the IGF showcases a compilation of articles, reports, guidelines, and policy documents that explore the role of gender in mining governance in large-scale mining.

Gender in Mining Governance: IGF report offers 25 policies to address inequality
Disaggregated Data: The foundation of gendered impact assessments

IGF-WIMOWA Gender and Mining Governance Workshop: Enhancing women’s voices and participation in West Africa

Gender and Mining Governance: Enhancing women’s voices and participation in West Africa

IGF Promotes Gender Equality and Environmental Management Through Goxi Consultations

IGF Provides Free Online Course on Gender Equality with EGP and UNDP
Four Ways to Spearhead Transformation for Gender Equality in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

Skills Building for Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining
Women play a crucial role in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). While their challenges in the sector have been studied extensively, increased effort is needed to create a more widespread understanding of their importance to ASM.

Casualty or Catalyst: Gender equality and the future of mining
The IGF, Carleton University and the Canadian International Resources and Development Institute co-hosted Casualty or Catalyst: Gender equality and the future of mining on June 12, 2019, in Ottawa, Canada, at Carleton University.

Webinar: Gender Gaps and Mining

Casualty or Catalyst: Gender equality and the future of mining

15th Annual General Meeting : Mining in a Changing Climate

Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: Interventions for greater participation
This case study highlights how to improve women’s participation in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), complementing the IGF’s previous report, Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: Challenges and opportunities for greater participation.

Challenging Cultural Norms in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Crucial to Improving Women’s Economic Empowerment
Fostering Sustainable Livelihoods for Women in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining

Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: Interventions for greater participation
This report highlights the key challenges and opportunities women in ASM face, including access to finance, access to equipment and technology, institutional support and services and more.
How Can Universities and NGOs Support Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining?
Why We Should Foster Economic Independence for Women in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining

Global Trends in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM): A review of key numbers and issues
IGF and IIED recently launched this report highlighting how rising mineral prices and the struggle to earn a living from agriculture have led to explosive growth in ASM.