BY NYASHA DUBE – Women in small scale mining have called on government and other stakeholders to partner with them in ploughing back to rural mining communities, most of which have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This comes at a time when most rural communities in the Midlands province used to rely on small scale mining activities as a source of livelihood.
In an interview, Zvishavane Women Miners Association Secretary Sophie Takuva said most families in rural communities directly and indirectly benefited from mining activities, hence the COVID-19 induced lockdown took away their sources of livelihoods.
She also highlighted how the COVID-19 situation has negatively affected women in these communities.
“Most women used to survive on selling food staffs and other necessities to mine workers, but with the closure of mines they have found themselves with no source of income,” said Sophie.
Sophie called on government and other relevant stakeholders to partner with women in mining so they can see how best they can assist mining communities.
“We have been giving back the little that we have but it’s not enough because we are at small scale. We need partners so as to make a big difference,” she said.
Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association (ZELA) continues to urge government to focus more on giving back to the artisanal and small-scale mining sector during the coronavirus-induced lockdown through provision of personal protective clothing and hand sanitisers so their mines do not become hot spots for the virus