In Uganda, women miners partnering with the planetGOLD project are demonstrating how inclusive leadership, formalization initiatives and responsible gold mining practices can strengthen livelihoods while protecting local communities and the environment for generations to come. Meet 3 women miners who are marking out a new path toward responsible, mercury-free artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Women’s representation in Uganda's artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector is estimated to be approximately 45 percent. Women are often engaged in the processing and washing stages, where exposure to toxic mercury is high, and they typically work in male-dominated mining cooperatives with little control over their livelihoods.
The experiences of Monica, Josephine and Esther show how targeted training can enable women miners to step into leadership and decision-making roles and earn more income.
