Women position in artisanal and small-scale mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Women play a great role in the production value chain of Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper provides a systematic literature review (SLR) of published peer-reviewed journal articles on women in ASM with main focus on participation in ASM production value chain, socio-economic and health impact of ASM and empowerment strategies and policies. Review result show 57.16% of papers focus on women participation in ASM mainly from studies in Ghana and Democratic Republic of Congo. For labour participation in ASM value chain, women are more available in lower tiers than in upper hierarchy due to skill deficiency, low education, limited access to mineral land and capital and discriminative customary norms. Women position in ASM production chain make them vulnerable to low income, health problems, social discrimination and sex violence. However, when ASM is compared to other non-agricultural activities, it provides relatively higher income to women than other income alternatives in rural areas. There is a need to provide skill training, equipment loan, special bank credits and simplified formalization process so as to increase women’s ability to be self-assertive to participate effectively and profitably for improved livelihoods.