Gender

Mberengwa miner in ‘Women miners have a voice’ campaign

SHARON NYAYA

MASVINGO RURAL-Mberengwa born geologist, Tendai Ngwenya (30), now based at Renco Mine in Masvingo District held a campaign advocating for women’s voices to be heard in the mining industry.

The awareness campaign was held at Renco Mine last week on 18 May under the theme, ‘Women miners have a voice’.

Ngwenya said the event was meant to empower girls and young women(local) who are passionate about mining and those who want join the sector.

The awareness campaign was sponsored by the Dutch Embassy in Zimbabwe.

“We are three in my family and I am the second born and I grew up with my mother in Mberengwa who was the breadwinner, unfortunately she passed on when I was young.

“I was transferred to my rural home where I completed my primary education and was fortunate as my father later on got a job as a chief miner.

“I grew up among girls who were treated as second class citizens, who were subjected to a lot of gender based violence and discrimination and that inspired me to want to do something about that.

“I was able to continue my education and later completed my diploma at the School of Mines in Bulawayo.

“As a boy I had told myself that I will break the stereotype, and become a champion of a women’s rights. Female small-scale miners endured inhospitable conditions in the cut throat male dominated and fast expanding but dangerous gold panning industry.

“Young girls and women experienced myriad of problems such as victimization, sexual harassment, lack of Sexual Reproductive Health services and violent disposition of intruders on their work.

“As a young boy all these situations disheartened me but at the same time gave me courage to liberate young girls and women. I started advocating for women’s rights which are also human rights around Renco Mine community.

“In 2022, I was awarded a gender champion by the Dutch Embassy in Zimbabwe,” said Ngwenya.

 Tatenda Maposa, former gender champion with the Dutch Embassy also graced the event. He said, “Mining has a reputation for being rough, remote and dangerous, as well as being one of the most male-dominated industries in the world, but over the years the stereotype is being broken.

“Today you can go to a mine site and find a decent number of women performing roles not considered for women prior to the 1990s, like mine managers, supervisors, drillers, plant operators and shot firers.

“Women must challenge their own comfort and realise the possibilities this environment has to offer, and attitudes of both males and females’ needs to be shaped by the pioneers in the environment.

“For the women who are interested in mining, my advice is make a difference and have confidence. I am also working with Renco Mine as a geologist.

“It’s my profession, but women empowerment is my passion. I want to break the stereotype that some industries are only meant for a specific gender (male).

“As a gender champion I believe that women should be able to work in any industry they choose, and I would like to be an example in the mining industry to all women out there.

“I think when women see more representation in a certain industry, they will be comfortable and drawn to explore a career in a male dominated fraternity,” said Maphosa.

The event was attended by local traditional leaders, local women’s rights defenders and young women.

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