Mining Week to focus on women, CSR
Katanga town, DRC
by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – A total of 1 000 participants are expected at the fifth Katanga Mining Week, the only international mining event for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Copperbelt region.
Scheduled for October 28 and 29 in Lubumbashi, the event will focus on corporate social responsibilities of mining companies.
It would also focus on the challenges women face in the industry.
“Women face an array of challenges in the mining sector. I am, however, very encouraged by the creation of a national “Women in Mining” association,” said Kaleba Ngoie-Kasongo, Executive Director of the Hear Congo organization.
Ngoie-Kasongo is a speaker and chairperson during the upcoming Katanga Mining Week.
She believes the challenges that women face in this sector include sexual violence and abuse in the mines, risk of HIV/AIDS and other STDs due to prostitution, health risks due to lack of sanitation and gender discrimination whereby they do not receive equal pay or opportunities.
She said the creation of the national “Women in Mining” association (RENAFEM), initiated by the Congolese Government with the support of World Bank and the European Union was encouraging.
“Through this national network, stakeholders workjointly to disseminate laws on the participation and protection of women in the mining sector. Clearly such programs will promote sustainable development in the mining industry in DRC.”
More conference speaker highlights include Moise Katumbi Chapwe, Governor of Katanga Province, Simon Tuma-Waku, Vice-President DRC Chamber of Mines, Audax Sompwe, Minister of Mines, Katanga Province, and Oscar Melhado, Country representative, International Monetary Fund.
– CAJ News
Short URL: http://cajnewsafrica.com/?p=2069
Posted by Admin
on Oct 15 2014. Filed under Mining, Mining & Engineering.
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