Promoting Gender Equality and Empowerment in Nigeria’s Mining and Steel Sector

The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has recently unveiled a strategy document for Women in Mining in Nigeria (WIMIN), with the primary goal of advancing gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment in the mining and steel sectors.

Dr. Alake, during the unveiling event, underscored the strategic importance of this document in fostering diversity and driving productivity for the sustainable development of the nation. He emphasized that the document serves as a foundational framework and a guiding principle towards integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment priorities in policies, programmes, and initiatives within the mining and steel industries.

Furthermore, the minister acknowledged and highlighted the pivotal contributions of women to the success and sustainability of the mining sector, underscoring the imperativeness of eliminating barriers that impede women’s meaningful participation, access, and control over mining resources and benefits.

In an earnest effort to realize the goals and objectives of the strategy, Dr. Alake outlined the specific focus areas, including the enhancement of institutional capacity for effective gender mainstreaming, increasing women’s participation in leadership and governance roles, and promoting women’s economic empowerment and rights.

The strategy, deeply entrenched in the bedrock principles of equality, diversity, and empowerment, also seeks to establish an inclusive and gender-balanced industry. Furthermore, it serves as a resounding call to action for all stakeholders to mobilize towards this shared goal. The minister articulated the unwavering commitment of both ministries, their agencies, and other stakeholders in achieving the vision set forth by the strategy.

Following Dr. Alake’s remarks, the National President of WIMIN, Dr. Janet Adeyemi, underscored the critical opportunity presented by the strategy to address the entrenched gender disparities within the mining and steel sectors. She fervently called for support and concerted action to overcome the multifaceted barriers that hinder women’s full participation and advancement in these industries.

Additionally, Dr. Mary Ogbe, the Permanent Secretary of MSMD, implored women to assume the role of change agents at all levels and encouraged organizations to appoint gender focal persons to oversee all related matters.

The initiative epitomizes the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to gender equity and female participation, as elucidated in the “Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry.” The government’s dedication to implementing the roadmap is evinced through its engagement of a consultancy to develop the gender strategy and the prioritization of building partnerships across a wide spectrum of stakeholders.

The launch of the WIMIN strategy signifies a momentous stride towards the creation of an inclusive and gender-balanced mining and steel sector in Nigeria. It serves as a clarion call for all stakeholders to collaborate in championing gender equality and the empowerment of women in these critical industries.