An Ethical Critique of the Sexist Mining Myths and the Gender Factor in the Extractive Industry of Southern Africa

Abstract

The extractive industry is an economic venue with enormous potentialities for men and women in Southern Africa particularly, DRC, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa. This part of the African Continent is flourishing with mineral resources in which women participate in different capacities. The contrast here is that of the increased number of women in this industry as opposed to the decline of social and economic wellbeing of women on account of gender based violence and many other oppressions against them. These dehumanising activities against women are fuelled by cultural and sexist mining myths from male peers reinforcing gender disparities. Thus, from an ethical perspective, the present study analyses cultural and sexist myths, deconstructing their patriarchal foundation and valorising women’s human agency and rights within the extractive industry. It is contended that women can contribute to the economic growth of the mining industry in Southern Africa provided that public institutions insure gender parity in the industry. In different levels, a response will be provided to the question: How can the cultural and sexist mining myths be ethically engaged to valorise women’s human agency and rights within the Southern Africa Extractive Industry? In response, this paper critically assesses the cultural basis of sexist myths from a perspective of feminist ethics, proceeding by deconstructing the patriarchal foundation of these myths and affirming women’s experience based on their human and economic capabilities. The present study proposes to contribute to the ethical discourse on gender parity, and the pursuit of women’s social and economic rights in the Extractive Industry.