Nigeria’s Commitment to Gender Equality in Mining and Steel Industries
The Federal Government of Nigeria has firmly committed to promoting gender parity and supporting women’s empowerment within the mining and steel sectors. This commitment aims to ensure the full participation and representation of women in decision-making roles within these industries, rooted in the principles of equality, diversity, and empowerment.
Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, announced this pledge in Abuja during the launch of the gender strategy for the mining and steel development sector and the Women in Mining in Nigeria initiative. The strategy focuses on enhancing opportunities for women to benefit from these sectors sustainably and play various roles in policy, regulatory, operational, and commercial aspects, as well as in the value and supply chain.
In his statement, Dr. Alake expressed the government’s dedication to eliminating structural and systemic barriers that hinder women’s meaningful participation, access, and control over mining resources and benefits. He emphasized the importance of building partnerships across stakeholders and strengthening institutional capacity for effective gender mainstreaming.
The Minister also highlighted the strategy as a call to action for the Women in Mining leadership, aiming to mobilize stakeholders and women towards a more inclusive and gender-balanced industry. He stressed that the strategy serves as a guideline and framework to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment priorities into policies, programs, and initiatives within the mining and steel sector.
Mrs. Janet Adeyemi, the National President of Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN), expressed her optimism about the unveiling of the gender strategy as a beacon of hope and a rallying cry for collective action and solidarity. She emphasized the association’s mission to foster a supportive community that inspires innovation, sustainability, and excellence, driving positive change for women and the mining sector as a whole.
Additionally, Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Steel Development, urged industry players to remain steadfast in their resolve to implement the gender strategy effectively, ensuring an equitable and inclusive mining sector. Engaging a Consultancy firm to conduct a gender study and map out a strategy for uplifting the benefits and mainstreaming of women in the sector was also highlighted as a crucial step by Project Coordinator MinDiver, Engineer Sellim Salam.
The commitment of the Federal Government towards gender parity in the mining and steel sectors is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse industry. With a unified focus on promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, this initiative sets the groundwork for positive change and progress within the Nigerian mining and steel industries.
