The impacts of mining operations are not gender neutral. Women can experience the direct and indirect consequences of mining operations in different, and often more pronounced, ways than men. The grievances expressed by women — including those with a human rights dimension — identify particular areas of concern that need to be addressed in the planning and implementation of mining projects. These grievances can be mitigated through gender sensitive and responsible mining practices.
The report informs mining company staff of the potential gender impacts of mining projects and introduces some tools and approaches that they can use to conduct a gender impact assessment of these projects. By undertaking a gender impact assessment mining companies can ensure that their activities respect the rights of women and men, and promote women’s empowerment and participation in community decision-making processes. The report also encourages the informed and meaningful participation of women and men from mine-affected communities in gender impact assessment processes and supports the achievement of gender equality.
The report presents a gender impact assessment framework to help assess and then avoid the potential negative gender impacts of a mining project.