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Women miners seeking to erase discrimination in the sector

Jan 20, 2012 News

 

To combat discrimination and promote chivalry towards women in the mining sector, the Guyana Women Miners’ Organization was formed two months ago. The body comprises 35 members thus far, and aims to erase the stigma of prostitution associated with women in interior locations.
According to the organization’s President, Simone Broomes, members have commenced sensitization exercises in their communities, but redefining women’s roles in the mining sector calls for a national effort. As such, awareness sessions would be conducted across mining districts.
The first awareness session would be executed February month-end in Mahdia, Region Eight, where numerous women have complained of being discriminated against, based on the assumption that they are prostitutes.
Broomes said that previously, Government had reserves in Mahdia, and women were given equal opportunity to men. Today, the lands are privately owned and sometimes women are abused whenever they attempt to exploit the tailings left after mining.
However, the Guyana Geologies and Mines Commission (GGMC) has been non-discriminatory in the distribution of “mining blocks.” As such, the women miners are planning on garnering the support of GGMC and are pleased that the organization is headed by a woman, Karen Livan.
Broomes opined that as a result, Livan will understand their plight.
To address the blatant disrespect for women in the sector, the organization plans to engage the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Jennifer Webster. Broomes admitted that while some women do enter mining districts for prostitution purposes, others are legitimate land owners who have assets.
She stressed that some women are gainfully employed in mining districts as heavy-duty machine operators or cooks, but their working conditions are deplorable.
The body also plans to meet the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Robert Persaud, to discuss equality of women in the sector.
The women miners would also be seeking the Minister’s help in ensuring appropriate healthcare and sanitary facilities are available for women in mining camps and that proper transportation is accessible in and out of the mining areas.

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