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2023 State of the ASM Sector Report
The 2023 State of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector is a collaboration between the World Bank’s Extractives Global Programmatic Support Multi-Donor Trust Fund (EGPS) and Pact.
Focus on Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) Gender Equality
The 2023 State of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector focuses on the intersection of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) and Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. It applies the SDG 5 framework for the first time to systematically report on gender inequalities in ASM. The 2023 Report builds on the 2019
and 2020
reports to close the ‘global data gap’ facing the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
Key Report Characteristics
Quantitative and qualitative primary data
The report draws on a review of mining laws in 21 countries, as well as primary data collected through surveys with over 1,900 participants from government, women in mining groups, and miners themselves.
Balanced representation of female and male participants
Survey captures a near equal participation from men and women, showcasing both men and women’s vital contributions to ASM and highlighting the collective effort required to achieve gender equality and inclusive representation in the sector.
Action-oriented report structure
Each chapter of the report provides findings, illustrative case studies, and key recommendations to advance women's participation in ASM.
Regionally diverse case studies
The report includes 14 case studies contributed by 34 authors from 23 organizations, representing 12 countries from East Asia, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
“As miners and as an association, we need support. Support from government agencies, municipalities, and the country as a whole, that supports the mining sector and gives more confidence to women, supports us in gender and human rights...They should strengthen us and help us grow, give us a hand, and help us move forward”
Divaney Viveros, female artisanal miner from Suárez, Cauca, Colombia 2023
Launch Videos
To celebrate the launch of the 2023 State of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Sector report on SDG5: Gender Equality, a three part series of virtual events were held. Each event covered one of the three report's key recommendations and featured the report's primary authors and a global collection of case study contributors sharing insights generated from this critical review.
New data to close the gender gap
For the first time in its history, the 2023 State of the Sector report collects primary data with support from Delve data collection partners to systematically detail gender inequalities in ASM. The primary data collection was supported by Delve contributors demonstrating the power of Delve to bring stakeholders together to share data, improve understanding, and advance evidence-based policy making. Local partners—particularly women-led mining networks and associations—play a crucial role collecting data and closing the gender gap.
Key Recommendations
Make mining laws and economic policies gender-inclusive
The lack of gender-sensitive language in national laws is hindering gender equality in the ASM sector. According to the report’s gender assessment of 21 legal frameworks across Asia, South America, and Africa, 14 mining codes (67%) and 17 of laws (80%) concerning property rights are gender-blind or gender-neutral, leaving women behind in terms of access and control over resources, which presents a significant barrier to addressing gender disparities in the sector.
Advance women's social protections at the mine and home.
According to three surveys of government, mining groups, and mining communities across three geographic regions, the ASM sector is achieving advances in social protections for women, but their domestic work share remains a challenge. On average, women working in ASM performed 26% more domestic work than men. Disparities in domestic work performed by women versus men in the ASM sector need to be addressed to ease the socio-economic challenges women face.
Account for gendered differences in occupational health and safety efforts at mine sites
The report reveals that women in ASM are increasingly exposed to health risks due to environmental impacts. Over one-third of miners surveyed reported an increase in environmental impacts on women in ASM in recent years. This alarming trend calls for immediate attention and action to address the different risks faced by women in ASM and to improve their occupational health and safety.
Conclusion
The state of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Sector shines a spotlight on the obstacles faced by women in ASM. The report examines persistent legal, social, and economic challenges and advocates for specific reforms to prioritize gender equality in the ASM sector so that women and their communities can thrive. The report emphasizes that gender discrimination in ASM is deeply rooted in laws and regulations governing the mining sector, contributing to a lack of visibility and understanding of women's contributions.
Without targeted gender-specific data, legislative reforms are challenging, and development interventions remain gender-blind. Implementing the recommendations presented in the report will be an important step in achieving gender equality in ASM and empowering women in the sector. The report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and organizations working towards sustainable development.
