The Nigerian Indigenous Women in Mining and Natural Resource Organisation (NIWIMNRO) conducted its inaugural one-day training in Abuja for Nigerian indigenous women artisanal miners. The training, supported by the Solid Minerals Development Fund, focused on improving the miners’ skills, safety, legal rights, and financial management.
Women from Niger and Nasarawa states participated, learning about the dangers of mining, the importance of prioritising their safety and well-being, their legal rights including equal pay and protection from harassment, and financial literacy to better manage their earnings and investments.
NIWIMNRO’s Executive Director, Felicia Dairo, emphasized the organization’s commitment to empowering women in the mining sector and addressing the industry’s patriarchal nature, where women’s contributions often go unrecognized. She stated the training’s aim was to build capacity and educate women on their rights, with plans to expand the initiative to other regions of Nigeria.
Facilitators at the training highlighted the need for government support to ensure women miners work in safe environments, the importance of understanding and mitigating mining dangers, and the necessity for women to advocate for their rights in the workplace.
Participants expressed enthusiasm and gratitude for the training, noting its impact on their understanding of safety measures, legal rights, and financial management. They shared how they had previously focused solely on mining without considering the associated risks to their health and safety. The training concluded with routine medical checks for the participants to assess their physical condition and provide preventive healthcare guidance, ensuring their overall well-being.