Women in Mining Awards Hailed as a Vehicle for Empowering Female Miners
The Women in Mining Awards have been celebrated as a significant step towards promoting and empowering women in the mining sector through the recognition of their achievements and contributions, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Held yesterday at Holiday Inn Hotel Harare and organized by Women in Mining Empowerment, led by Chiedza Chipangura, the event brought together key figures in the industry, acknowledging both individuals and companies for their participation and accomplishments.
The ceremony was a glamorous affair, with women from various mining sectors being celebrated for their resilience, dedication, and success.
Sharon Tokoda, an award recipient, expressed her gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the contributions of women in mining.
“This event was long overdue. The recognition of women in mining is something we are celebrating today because many women have been involved in mining for years, and mining has provided for numerous households,” Tokoda said.
She also celebrated her award as a supplier in the mining sector, noting that her work supplying lime from Zambia was driven by passion.
“When it comes to mining, it’s all about passion. These women wake up every day because they love what they do. We should encourage our young girls to take up mining because it has vast opportunities that are often overlooked,” Tokoda added.
Sharon Pencil, a young chrome miner from Mutorashanga in Mashonaland West, also shared her thoughts on the awards, describing them as empowering for women in small-scale and informal mining.
“This event was very empowering. It encourages women in small-scale or informal mining to formalize their operations and grow. It also shows that women can succeed in mining, a field once considered masculine,” Pencil said.
She emphasized that young people should take advantage of such opportunities, especially in a challenging economic environment.
The awards not only celebrated the achievements of women in the sector but also served as a platform to inspire more women and young people to venture into mining. The recognition of their efforts is expected to encourage women to formalize their businesses, invest in their operations, and grow their impact within the industry.
The Women in Mining Awards, hosted by Women in Mining Empowerment, have been hailed as a powerful vehicle for ensuring that women in mining are not only recognized but also supported in their efforts to contribute to the nation’s mining industry. Through events like these, women are empowered to take up leadership roles and break barriers in a field that has traditionally been male-dominated.
Chiedza Chipangura, who leads the Women in Mining Empowerment organization, emphasized the importance of these awards in giving women the recognition they deserve and motivating more women to join the industry. The success of the event reflects the growing role of women in Zimbabwe’s mining sector and the increasing opportunities for their participation in its future growth.