ZDAMWU creating a gender policy in support of Women miners
The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Workers Union (ZDAMWU) is in the final stages of creating a gender policy in support of female miners who are believed to be facing serious challenges in the mining sector in Zimbabwe.
Rudairo Mapuranga
According to ZDAMWU General Secretary Mr Justice Chinhema for the country to achieve the Minister of Mines and Mining Development’s vision to see the mining industry fetching an annual revenue of US$12 billion women in mining should be prioritized just like their male counterparts. He said his organization was in the process of finalizing a policy to be adopted to help women in mining.
“While the government is speaking about achieving a US$12 billion mining economy, it is important to acknowledge the role being played by women in the mining sector. The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) would like to salute our women who are breaking ground in taking what used to be the male-dominated field of mining.
“However, we will not actualize the US$12 billion mining economy if we do not create a conducive environment for women to thrive in the mining sector. As a union, we are campaigning for the ratification of ILO conversation 190 which speaks against violence and harassment GBVH in the world of work.
As a union, we want to see this domesticated, and we shall push through the works council to have the same adopted at company level.
ZDAMWU is at the final stage of coming up with a gender policy which will be adopted by our national executive committee in September.
It is a common fact that female mine workers face a lot of challenges that include sexual harassment, victimisation and segregation amongst other challenges. While others might speak out, the majority suffer in silence.
By adopting the ILO convention and policies, at company level, we shall have protected our female members.
“As a proactive union, we have started capacitating our members with skills to know harassment and how it should be reported. We are also educating female members with skills to bargain through works council.
“We want to see a conducive environment being created for women in the mining environment. Hence we are advocating for free pads at the mine and ablution facilities suitable for women and other benefits specifically for women.
We continue to encourage women to fully participate in trade union activities and community issues because it makes them strong towards defending their rights. As a union so far we have trained 25 women in Kadoma and more of these shall continue to happen in every district where we have membership so as to have powerful female members who fight harassment in the world of work and mining communities,” Chinhema said.