The first Manganese and 5th Luapula Mining Indaba under the theme, \’Leveraging from Manganese Production in the Energy Transition Era\’, was finally held in Mansa, Luapula Province from the 5th – 7th June, 2023 at Sali Riverside Lodge after having been postponed three times. This was attended by 12 Traditional Leaders (7 from Luapula Province and 5 from Central Province), the Local Provincial Administration ,the Minister of Mines and some Directors, the Business sector in mining i.e. Artisanal and small scale miners, Smelters and Processors, Investors and the Chamber of Commerce and 11 Civil Society organisations (among them was the Rural Women Assembly), and the Press.

The main objective of the Indaba was to discuss and find lasting solutions to the challenges being experienced in the Manganese Mining Sub Sector, such as illegal mining activities, non compliance to legal and policy frameworks on mining, Environment and Labor, increase in Child labour, taxation, health and Corporate social responsibility.

However, over the years, mining activities in the Northern region of Zambia have had various negative impacts on women that have not been adequately addressed. These include:

1. Displacement and loss of land: Mining operations have required large areas of land, leading to the displacement of local communities, including women. Women who rely on the land for agriculture or livelihood activities have lost their homes and means of subsistence.
2. Environmental pollution: Mining operations lead to the contamination of air, water, and soil through the release of harmful chemicals and waste materials. Women who depend on local water sources for drinking, cooking, and farming face health risks and difficulties in accessing clean water, leading to adverse impacts on their well-being.
3. Health risks and safety hazards: Women living near mining sites have experienced health issues due to exposure to toxic substances and hazardous working conditions. This includes respiratory problems, skin diseases, and reproductive health concerns. Women who work in or around the mines, such as in support roles or informal mining activities, face even higher risks.
4. Economic marginalisation: Women in mining-affected areas often face economic marginalisation. Mining activities may create job opportunities, but these are often male-dominated, leaving women with limited access to formal employment and higher-paid positions. Instead, women may be forced to engage in informal mining or low-paying jobs with poor working conditions.
5. Social disruption and gender-based violence: The influx of male migrant workers associated with mining operations usually leads to social disruption and an increased risk of gender-based violence. Women have ended up facing harassment, sexual assault, or exploitation, which has severe psychological, physical, and social consequences.
6. Limited participation and decision-making: Women\’s voices and participation in decision-making processes related to mining activities are often marginalised. Their perspectives and needs aren\’t adequately considered, further exacerbating the negative impacts they face.
   We as RWA Zambia emphasise that efforts to mitigate these negative effects should involve recognizing and addressing the gender-specific challenges faced by women in mining-affected areas.

The Rural Women Assembly was represented by Bernadette Malamba, from Chingola, Grace Tepula from Ndola and Forster Musonda from Lufwanyama. Grace Tepula was one of the panellists who spoke about the importance of women owning land with title, the right to say NO and shared RWAs ideals, goals and vision for rural women.