Celebrating the International Day of Women in Mining (15 June)

Every year on June 15th, the world marks the International Day of Women in Mining (IDWIM) – a day dedicated to celebrating the remarkable resilience, leadership, and invaluable contributions of women in the mining sector, but also to cast a crucial light on the persistent challenges they navigate in this traditionally male-dominated industry. It is a day for collective reflection and a renewed commitment to fostering environments where every woman can thrive, contribute, and lead without impediment. This year’s theme, “Voices of Impact: A Year of Resilience and Recognition,” focuses on celebrating the innovation, stories, and leadership of women in the mining industry, highlighting their resilience and contributions across all levels, from underground to the boardroom.

A critical economic driver in South Africa and many African economies, the mining sector has historically presented unique hurdles for women. From entrenched cultural biases and limited access to opportunities, to inadequate facilities and the pervasive issue of gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH). Globally, women represent a minority in the mining workforce, often concentrated in administrative roles rather than core operational or leadership positions. While there has been measurable progress, gender inequality remains deeply embedded in the operational, cultural, and leadership fabric of the sector. The Commission for Gender Equality’s Gender Transformation in the South African Mining Industry 2023/2024 report cites that representation of women in the South African mining workforce is approximately 19.8%. Underrepresentation at senior levels and persistent reports of GBVH in both underground and surface environments remain a concern. This underscores the urgent need for strategic and impactful interventions to achieve genuine gender inclusion.

Against this backdrop, the Shared Value Africa Gender Equality Unit (SVA GEU) is leading the charge for workplace transformation across Africa. The GEU’s work is rooted in a commitment to delivering bespoke, sector-specific solutions that address the unique challenges of each industry – from mining to manufacturing, from finance to farming.

The GEU’s approach is both practical and visionary. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the team works closely with organisations to diagnose their specific needs, co-create tailored strategies, and equip leaders with actionable tools to combat GBVH and build inclusive workplace cultures. At the heart of this work is the belief that gender equality is not just a moral imperative, but a business one.

A prime example of this is our collaborative work with the Minerals Council of South Africa in refining their Women in Mining (WiM) Strategy. Recognising the critical need for an updated framework that addresses contemporary challenges and opportunities, the GEU partnered with the Council to enhance the strategy’s structure, clarity, and alignment with the realities of the local mining sector. Our focus was on embedding measurable outcomes, ensuring that progress can be robustly tracked and accountability upheld. We facilitated meaningful stakeholder engagement, bringing together diverse voices from across the industry to ensure the strategy is comprehensive, inclusive, and reflective of lived experiences.

This refined WiM Strategy aims to achieve ambitious yet critical goals, moving beyond representation quotas to foster truly equitable and dignified work environments. It seeks to cultivate inclusive leadership, promote safe workplaces free from harassment, develop diverse talent pathways, and embed data-driven accountability throughout the industry. The strategy also emphasises industry collaboration to drive broader value chain transformation and societal impact, ensuring that the benefits of gender equality extend beyond the mines themselves. By strengthening this foundational strategy, the GEU is helping to pave the way for a mining sector that not only recognises the potential of women, but actively champions their advancement, ensuring their safety, and valuing their contributions at every level.

While mining is in the spotlight this month, the lessons apply far beyond the sector. GBV, harassment, and exclusion are not unique to mining – they persist in boardrooms, factory floors, classrooms, and virtual offices across Africa. According to the Commission for Employment Equity Annual Report 2022–2023, women remain underrepresented in top, senior, and middle management positions in the South African private sector, with figures for 2022 at 26.5%, 37.2%, and 40.1% respectively. While progress is noted in some areas, challenges remain in transforming historical gender imbalances and increasing women’s participation in the labour force.

As we celebrate International Day of Women in Mining, we invite organisations across all sectors to join us. The journey towards gender equality is a collective one, and its transformative power is not limited to the mining sector. The GEU stands ready to support businesses in creating safer, more equitable workplaces through:

• Respect@Work Training: Equipping leaders and teams with the skills to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and harassment.
• Gender Audits: Providing actionable insights into the state of gender inclusion within your organisation.
• Strategy Consulting: Co-creating bespoke gender equality strategies that drive measurable impact.

Whether you are in mining, energy, manufacturing, finance, technology or any other sector, the time to act is now. Let’s work together to break the barriers and build a future where everyone can thrive.

To learn more about our work or to partner with us, visit www.itsnotok.africa or contact the Gender Equality Unit today.