Blueprint Newspaper correspondent, Ene Oshaba examines the health and social impacts of mining on women and girls in host communities, spotlighting exposé by experts at a recent panel discussion during a the training for journalists on mineral governance and host community rights in Nigeria organised by Global Rights Nigeria.
The effects of mining on
host communities in Nigeria remain a source of concern with one of the most overlooked aspects being the impact on women and girls’ health.
The growing voices from these communities over these activists highlight the severe consequences that mining has on the physical, mental, and social well-being of women and girls.
A recent panel discussion on the topic: ‘Mining Host Communities in Nigeria: Community Rights and Right to Development” spotlighted these issues, with several panelists sharing personal experiences, research findings, as well as harping on the urgency to address these concerns.
The voices of women from mining host communities in Nigeria often go unheard. These women are caught in the crossfire of exploitation, environmental degradation, and health hazards stemming from mining activities.
Mining activities across Nigeria, particularly in the North Central and North West regions, have become an engine of devastation for host communities, especially for women and girls. While the mineral wealth of these regions attracts investors, the human cost is profound, as seen in the displacement, environmental degradation, and violation of women’s rights.
Panel discussion
During the panel, Dr. Tope Olaifa, FNMHC Ogun state, noted that the health risks to women are numerous.
“Women are more vulnerable due to their roles in the community as they are often responsible for sourcing water, caring for children, and preparing food, all of which are affected by contaminated environments.”
The contamination of water bodies by mining waste, she emphasized, is a significant source of health issues such as skin rashes, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal diseases among women and children.
She shed light on how mining-induced environmental degradation affects women’s reproductive health, noting that the release of toxic substances, particularly heavy metals like lead and mercury, has been linked to increased cases of miscarriages, stillbirths, and congenital disabilities in mining communities.
“Women suffer silently from reproductive health issues that often go unreported because of stigma,” Dr. Olaifa noted.
She advocated for more research into the specific health impacts on women, stressing that these effects are compounded by poverty and lack of access to healthcare.
The story of Fatima, a woman from a rural mining community in Zamfara state, was shared during the panel. Fatima lost her son to lead poisoning, a direct consequence of the artisanal mining activities in her village.
“I didn’t know it was the water,” she said tearfully, explaining that the river they relied on for drinking water had been contaminated by mining runoff. Her story resonated deeply with the audience, revealing the tragic cost of mining on women who bear the brunt of caregiving responsibilities in these affected areas.
Inpact of displacement on women’s health
The displacement of entire communities has been one of the primary negative impacts of mining activities. Women, in particular, bear the brunt of this displacement, losing not only their homes but also their means of livelihood.
A panelist from FNMHCH, Ebonyi state, Engineer Francis Orji, highlighted that thousands of women and children are forced to migrate from their communities, leaving behind their agricultural lands and traditional sources of income. “Without stable homes and access to farmland, women’s mental and physical health deteriorates, leading to a rise in stress-related illnesses,” the orji remarked.
Gender-based violence in mining communities
As these communities are uprooted, women and girls are frequently left vulnerable to gender-based violence.
Some panellists reported alarming cases of sexual exploitation, with some mining areas becoming hotspots for prostitution and human trafficking.
Dr. Olaifa emphasized, “Women and girls are often raped, sometimes by those who are supposed to be protecting them. The rise in prostitution in mining communities further exposes them to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.”
Health, environmental degradation
The environmental damage caused by mining has far-reaching consequences for the health of women in host communities. Mining pollutes water sources, leading to an increase in waterborne diseases, which disproportionately affect women, who are primarily responsible for fetching water and caring for the sick.
Olaifa narrated the heartbreaking story of a woman who lost her two daughters to water contamination caused by mining waste.
“The women in these communities drink from streams polluted with chemicals used in mining, and they are left to face the consequences, including infertility, miscarriages, and even cancer,” she said.
Teenage pregnancy, drug abuse
She noted that the influx of miners and the breakdown of social norms in host communities have led to a surge in teenage pregnancies. Young girls, enticed by the wealth and promises of miners, often become pregnant, abandoning their education and facing a bleak future.
“The rate of teenage pregnancies in mining communities is alarming. Many girls end up as single mothers, with no support, trapped in a cycle of poverty,” she lamented.
Drug abuse is another consequence of mining activities. The grueling labour conditions of artisanal mining often drive both men and women to substance abuse, with women increasingly becoming addicted to drugs such as cannabis and opioids. The panelists pointed out that “women, who are already burdened with the responsibility of caring for their families, find themselves addicted to drugs as a way of coping with the trauma of displacement, violence, and poverty.”
Marginalisation in labour market
Although mining could theoretically provide economic opportunities for women, the reality is different. Many women are marginalised in mining communities, left with low-paying jobs, and in many cases, excluded from the workforce entirely.
“The men get the jobs, and the women are left with nothing,” a panelist stated.
“Even when women do get hired, it’s often in dangerous and exploitative conditions.”
The speaker noted that these women are not provided with the necessary protective gear, exposing them to toxic chemicals that severely impact their reproductive health.
Lack of access to healthcare
In addition to these challenges, women in mining communities often lack access to adequate healthcare. Panelists emphasised that mining companies and the government have done little to improve the healthcare infrastructure in these areas.
Olaifa recalled visiting a mining community where women had to travel over 20 kilometers to reach the nearest health facility, often on foot. “Imagine being pregnant, sick, or in labour, and having to walk for hours to get medical help. Many women don’t survive the journey,” she lamented.
Mental health consequences
Continuing, Olaifa noted that the psychological toll of mining on women can not be overstated. With their communities displaced, their children exposed to violence, and their own health deteriorating, many women suffer from depression and anxiety.
“Women in these communities are often neglected when it comes to mental health services. The trauma of displacement, the loss of family members to violence, and the constant fear of sexual assault take a heavy toll on their emotional well-being.”
Govt, international mining companies role
While the Nigerian government has introduced regulations aimed at protecting mining communities, panelists criticised the lack of enforcement.
“The Nigerian Underground Mining Act is meant to safeguard the rights of host communities, but in reality, it’s just a piece of paper. The mining companies and the government have failed to implement these laws, leaving women in these communities to fend for themselves,’ said Olaitan.
Habibu Abubakar Wushishi, FNMHC Niger state, also pointed out that international mining companies bear much of the responsibility.
“These companies come into our communities, extract our resources, and leave us with nothing but devastation. They don’t invest in our health, they don’t provide jobs for our women, and they don’t care about the destruction they cause,” he asserted.
Path forward
Despite these challenges, the panelists agreed that there is hope for change if women in mining communities are empowered. Education was identified as a key tool for transforming the lives of women and girls in these areas.
“If we can educate our women, they will be able to advocate for their rights and hold mining companies accountable,” another panelist said.
“We need to empower them with the knowledge and resources they need to fight for their health, their environment, and their future,’ he added.
One major concern raised by the panelists was the lack of corporate responsibility from mining companies.
“These companies are making millions while the communities, particularly women, are left to deal with the fallout,” said Olaitan.
She called for stricter enforcement of corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies, ensuring that mining companies provide adequate compensation and health services to the affected women.
During the discussion, it was clear that the government’s role in protecting these communities is crucial.
“There is an urgent need for the government to take women’s health issues seriously in the context of mining activities,” Olaifa urged.
She highlighted the failure of existing policies to protect the most vulnerable, particularly women, from the harmful effects of mining.
She called for the establishment of gender-sensitive health policies that address the unique challenges faced by women in these communities.
Mining activities in Nigeria’s host communities have had devastating effects on women and girls, impacting their health, safety, and economic opportunities.
The stories shared by panelists paint a grim picture of the social and environmental costs borne by these women, but they also offer a path forward through empowerment and education.
The panelists emphasised that it is time for both the government and mining companies to take responsibility and work towards a future where the health and rights of women in these communities are protected.
Call to action
The testimonies of the women from the mining communities shared by the panelists were a poignant reminder of the human cost of mining.
The session concluded with a collective call to action from all panelists. They urged the media, civil society, and the government to amplify the voices of these women, share their stories widely, and push for reforms that protect their health and well-being.
As Olaifa summed up, “These women are the backbone of their communities, and their health is the health of the community. If we fail to protect them, we fail to protect the future of these communities.”
The overwhelming message was clear: the health of women in Nigeria’s mining communities must be prioritised, and their stories must be heard.
The stories shared by the panelists during this session highlighted the urgent need for intervention in Nigeria’s mining host communities. From reproductive health issues to mental health challenges, the adverse effects of mining on women are profound and multifaceted.
The session ended with a powerful reminder that knowledge is power and that amplifying the voices of affected women is key to ensuring justice and change.
Credit: Blueprint Newspaper
