At least once a year, when International Women’s Month is celebrated in March, we are reminded to pause and take stock of the role of women in resources development.
The mining industry in the Philippines, like many other countries, has traditionally been male-dominated. Nevertheless, there are marked efforts to increase women's participation and address their unique challenges, thanks in no small part to the leadership of a woman Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources and to groups that are pushing this agenda.
Among the major issues faced by women in mining are: (1) gender division of labor, where women are confined to jobs that are less technical or less physically taxing; (2) limited access to education and training, which in turn limits their opportunities for advancement; (3) cultural and social barriers, which include cultural beliefs that prevent women from going underground; and (4) negative environmental and social impacts of mining operations.
To address these challenges, a number of steps have been identified:
1) Policy reforms. These include amending the Philippine Mining Act to include gender-sensitive provisions to ensure more equitable participation and opportunities for women. Mining companies could also be mandated to conduct periodic gender impact assessments and sex-disaggregated data collection.
These reforms would also include a better implementation of the Magna Carta of Women in the mining industry and introducing guidelines, particularly for Social Development and Management Programs (SDMPs) which would encourage gender-responsive projects to meet the needs of women in mining communities.
In this regard, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga recently signed a new department administrative order mandating mining companies to incorporate the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) into their SDMPs. Mining contractors and permit holders will have the responsibility of ensuring that SDGs are achieved within their host and neighboring communities.
The 17-point UN SDGs include, among others, no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality, clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; reduced inequalities; and sustainable cities and communities.
2) Education and Training. This involves iincreasing access to education and training programs tailored to women to bridge the gap in technical skills. Women often have limited access to STEM education which is essential for careers in mining.
Mining companies can take the lead in developing and implementing training programs specifically for women in mining to hone their technical and management skills, and leadership.
There are existing programs, such as the United Nations Development Programme’s course on Gender and Mining Governance, which includes modules on promoting women's engagement in mining projects.
3) Empowerment and Leadership Opportunities. In a 2023 speech at the 10th anniversary celebration of Diwata – Women in Resource Development, DENR Secretary Loyzaga urged mining companies to empower women to lead and provide a platform that can harness their unique perspectives, knowledge and skills. “Mining companies are urged to enhance women participation in their conservation and restoration projects, acknowledging the indigenous women’s and other women’s invaluable knowledge of local ecosystems. The mining industry can mainstream gender-responsive policies in their corporate strategies, not only to ensure that practices do not inadvertently harm women, but that they also build corporate resilience,” Loyzaga said.
As this is being written, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP), in partnership with PH-EITI and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, has announced a forum entitled “Mining Her Own Business: Elevating Women’s Voices in Natural Resource Governance” which is expected to gather industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and development partners to discuss gender-responsive governance in the extractive sector. The discussions will focus on:
- Women’s participation in decision-making
- Gender-sensitive data disclosures
- The impact of mining revenues on women and marginalized groups
Although women continue to face significant challenges in the mining industry in the Philippines, there are concerted efforts to address these issues and create a more inclusive sector. It is envisioned that, by promoting gender equality and providing opportunities for women to participate fully, the mining industry will become more sustainable and equitable for all stakeholders.
