Advocacy on Women’s Rights and Environmental Justice in Extractive Industries in Tanzania
Advocacy on Women’s Rights and Environmental Justice in Extractive Industries in Tanzania
August 2019 to July 2020
ENVIROCARE implemented this project from August 2019 to July 2020, with support from Women Fund Tanzania (WFT), in Manyara, Mbeya and Shinyanga Regions. The project aimed to strengthen women’s participation in extractive industries while promoting environmental justice, human rights, health and safety, and sustainable mining practices.
The project focused on women miners, women’s groups, small-scale miners, local government authorities and communities in mining areas.
What We Did
ENVIROCARE introduced the project to government authorities and conducted a baseline study involving 450 participants across six mining wards to assess women’s participation, rights, environmental challenges, health and livelihood conditions.
The study found significant barriers, including limited awareness of rights and mining laws, low participation of women in decision-making, limited access to finance, environmental pollution, unsafe mining practices, and health risks associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals.
ENVIROCARE then brought together 37 stakeholders (23 women and 14 men) from government, mining communities, civil society and other institutions to discuss the findings and identify solutions. The project also developed 4,000 educational materials covering women’s rights, children’s rights, environmental protection and mining laws.
Project Impact
The project generated evidence on the challenges facing women in extractive industries and increased stakeholder understanding of women’s rights, environmental justice, health and sustainable mining.
It strengthened collaboration between ENVIROCARE, government authorities, small-scale miners, women’s groups and other stakeholders, while creating a foundation for stronger advocacy, legal aid, environmental protection and women’s participation in decision-making within mining communities.
Lasting Contribution
The project helped establish a stronger evidence base and stakeholder network for continued advocacy on women’s rights and environmental justice in Tanzania’s extractive sector. It also highlighted the importance of women’s representation in environmental and social decision-making and promoted greater community awareness of responsible and sustainable mining practices.
ENVIROCARE ON THE FIELD
Field photos and videos
Study team at Jeshini mining site in Matundasi ward, in Chunya District, Mbeya Region interviewing small scale miners.
Study team at Gendabi Salt Mining site in Katesh ward, Hanang District, Manyara Region interviewing small scale miners.
Women at Mwime Gold mining at Kahama District, Shinyanga Region processing the sands as one of the steps of gold processing after being exctracted from the small mines sites.
Facilitator welcoming participants during the workshop to disseminate baseline study findings at Envirocare hall in Makongo Juu, Dar es Salaam.