Opportunities and challenges for women’s participation in the informal sector: a case of artisanal gold panning in, Mukaradzi, Mount Darwin district, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

The research focused on the opportunities and challenges for women’s participation in the informal sector and a particular focus was on artisanal women gold miners in Mukaradzi, Mt Darwin district. The objectives of the study were to access the social and economic benefits that comes from participation in artisanal gold mining, the challenges faced in participating in the artisanal gold mining and the copying mechanisms employed by artisanal women gold miners for them to remain in the artisanal mining business. A qualitative research approach was used as the researcher wanted to understand artisanal women gold miners in their natural state. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, life histories and field observations were used for data collection. The study used a sample of 13 participants drawn from artisanal women gold miners. These participants were selected using the convenience sampling technique due to their availability in large numbers in Mukaradzi as well as their willingness to participate in the study. Data analysis was done using thematic content analysis. The study findings show that artisanal gold mining is a source of livelihood to most people in Mt Darwin district. However, from the findings, artisanal women gold miners face a myriad of challenges. These include gender inequalities in artisanal mining sector, sexual harassment and abuse, cultural marginalization and gendered labour dynamics, limited knowledge in the artisanal mining sector, as well as health related challenges. The study concluded that, although women face a number of challenges, artisanal gold mining proved to be their source of livelihood. The research summed up by recommending that the government and non-governmental organizations should continue educating people on issues of gender equality in all sectors of the economy. The government should review and amend regulatory instruments that criminalize artisanal mining activities since the study has shown that it is a source of livelihood to a number of people.