Socio-economic and environmental impact of mining on women in Kasigau mining zone in Taita Taveta County

Authors

Maarifa Ali Mwakumanya, Department of Environmental Sciences, Pwani University, P.O. Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya
Mwikamba Maghenda, Coast Rights Forum, P.O. Box 83762-80108, Mombasa, Kenya
Hamida Juma, Coast Rights Forum, P.O. Box 83762-80108, Mombasa, Kenya

Author ORCID Identifier

Maarifa Ali Mwakumanya 0000-0002-7121-9830

Abstract

The Kasigau ward is home to many gemstones with their mining contributing to the county's economic development. The mining sector is dominated by artisanal and small scale mining with 3–5% of women employed. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was used to involve women with the aim of establishing home-grown interventions. Seven villages and forty nine households participated in household interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and female feedback reflection meetings to generate and analyze data. Women worked as zururas (workers) or employees, in deplorable environmental conditions, and were heavily impacted by mining activities. Women developed actionable strategies on productive engagement in the artisanal mining sector.

Recommended Citation

Mwakumanya, Maarifa Ali; Maghenda, Mwikamba; and Juma, Hamida (2016) "Socio-economic and environmental impact of mining on women in Kasigau mining zone in Taita Taveta County," Journal of Sustainable Mining: Vol. 15 : Iss. 4 , Article 10.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.46873/2300-3960.1190

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