Alake promises gender equity in mining sector

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has initiated a gender strategy policy for the local mining and steel sectors to foster diversity, empower women and enhance the overall sustainability of the mining sector.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, launched the strategy plan at an event on Tuesday.

Speaking at a dual-pronged occasion in Abuja, which also marked the launch of the Women In Mining In Nigeria WIMIN strategy, the minister said the current administration was poised to prioritise gender equity and female participation in its ‘’Roadmap for the Growth and Development of the Nigerian Mining Industry’’.

He emphasised the indispensable contributions of women to the success and sustainability of the mining sector, adding that their talents, expertise, and perspectives were crucial to the success and growth of the mining industry.

Alake said, “We believe that promoting gender equality is both a moral and strategic decision that will drive innovation, enhance productivity, and contribute to the sustainable development of our nation. We encourage our stakeholders to also entrench gender equality in their organisations.

“As we gather here, we recognise the indispensable contributions of women to the success and sustainability of the mining sector role, thereby shaping our nation’s development, their talents, expertise and perspectives are also essential to the success and growth of the mining industry’,” A statement signed by the Ministry’s Head of Information & Public Relations, Alaba Balogun, stated.

With a retrospective assessment of the biases and inequalities against women in the sector, Dr Alake posited that the present administration has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and empowering women by implementing its roadmap initiative.

“As part of efforts of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and Ministry of Steel Development, to implement this roadmap initiative, the Mineral Sector Support for Economic Diversification (MinDiver) engaged a consultancy firm, N & G Consulting Firm Ltd, to develop the gender strategy,’’ Dr Alake emphatically stated.

To this end, as an affirmative and clarion call to action, the minister declared, ‘’In line with the strategy objectives, which are firmly rooted in the principles of equality, diversity, and empowerment, in both Ministries, we are committed to increasing women’s participation in leadership and governance roles within the mining sector and communities.”

In her address at the unveiling ceremony, the National President, Women In Mining In Nigeria, Mrs Janet Adeyemi, represented by the National Secretary, Mrs Emily Ofodile, said, ‘’The launch serves as a beacon of hope – a rallying cry for collective action and solidarity. It is a platform to disseminate these transformative strategies, mobilise stakeholders, and ignite a movement towards meaningful change’’.

Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary Ministries of Solid Minerals Development and Steel Development, Dr Mary Ogbe, admonished industry players to remain steadfast in our resolve to implement the gender strategy’’ effectively, ensuring a mining sector that is equitable and inclusive.

Commenting, Project Coordinator, MinDiver, Sellim Salam, highlighted the importance of engaging a consultancy firm to do a gender study and map out a strategy that would uplift the benefits and mainstreaming of women in the sector.

The unveiling ceremony was garnished with a revealing presentation by the N&G Consulting Firm Ltd and several goodwill messages from various organisations.