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to lack of sustainable assets to realize their full potential, armed conflict and
inequality (Franco 2014). The extractive industry, particularly the mining sector,
has been pivotal in protecting women’s livelihoods. However, there is still room for
improvement in helping women enhance their assets to cope with mining-induced
changes. Mining will eventually affect the livelihood of women in farming, jewellery design, artisanal mining, large-scale mining and other economic activities.
Women farmers, for example, are choosing artisanal mining over agriculture which
might displace traditional livelihood options in the long term. However, the minimization of the extraction industry’s detrimental effects on the community and the
fostering of opportunities for sustainable peace are mainly due to the active participation of women and the enhancement of women’s assets. Active participation of
women in income generation has also helped them proactively embark on enterprises, request the required resources and skills to positively transform their lives
and help them cope with potential mining impacts. Existing approaches have also
helped women achieve their development goals and forge sustainable livelihoods.
This has also assisted stakeholders in responding to conflicting demands in resource
locations.
Based on women’s expectations, the extractive industry and governments have
embarked on sustainable development agendas and mechanisms to foster peaceful
arrangements at the community level. This has had positive impacts on locals, as
these practices are more in tune with local circumstances. Female consultation in
relation to needs and expectations is highly appreciated in the development of these
initiatives, resulting in immediate benefits. For example, local coffee and jewellery
producers, as well as female entrepreneurs, have already experienced the benefits of
these initiatives:
We have been trained in jewellery design ... the company has also provided us with some
financial assistance to attend international fairs so that we can promote and sell our products. (Community Members, Interview, October, 2012)
There is a close relationship between good governance and sustainable livelihoods for women. Collaboration for forging sustainable livelihoods of women has
been a driver to enhance resilient assets. Governance is not restricted just to the role
of government but also involves other parties such as the extractive industry and
civil society (Davies 2005). It is part of the role of these three parties to aid women
in developing asset-based adaptation strategies to help women forge sustainable
livelihoods. Furthermore, understanding the political and economic agendas of
international companies involved in operations is necessary to gage the impact and
success of sustainable livelihood development and capacity building initiatives.
Exploration projects currently undertaken by Canadian companies occupy large
areas of land that host important reserves of gold. Informal miners who previously
worked in this area are involved in ongoing negotiations with the Canadian company to explore possibilities of relocation and opportunities for their livelihood
transformations. A group of informal miners has obtained a concession to keep mining the land where the Canadian company operates. Current dialogues between
small-scale informal miners and multinational corporations have a strong focus on
17 SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
to lack of sustainable assets to realize their full potential, armed conflict and
inequality (Franco 2014). The extractive industry, particularly the mining sector,
has been pivotal in protecting women’s livelihoods. However, there is still room for
improvement in helping women enhance their assets to cope with mining-induced
changes. Mining will eventually affect the livelihood of women in farming, jewellery design, artisanal mining, large-scale mining and other economic activities.
Women farmers, for example, are choosing artisanal mining over agriculture which
might displace traditional livelihood options in the long term. However, the minimization of the extraction industry’s detrimental effects on the community and the
fostering of opportunities for sustainable peace are mainly due to the active participation of women and the enhancement of women’s assets. Active participation of
women in income generation has also helped them proactively embark on enterprises, request the required resources and skills to positively transform their lives
and help them cope with potential mining impacts. Existing approaches have also
helped women achieve their development goals and forge sustainable livelihoods.
This has also assisted stakeholders in responding to conflicting demands in resource
locations.
Based on women’s expectations, the extractive industry and governments have
embarked on sustainable development agendas and mechanisms to foster peaceful
arrangements at the community level. This has had positive impacts on locals, as
these practices are more in tune with local circumstances. Female consultation in
relation to needs and expectations is highly appreciated in the development of these
initiatives, resulting in immediate benefits. For example, local coffee and jewellery
producers, as well as female entrepreneurs, have already experienced the benefits of
these initiatives:
We have been trained in jewellery design ... the company has also provided us with some
financial assistance to attend international fairs so that we can promote and sell our products. (Community Members, Interview, October, 2012)
There is a close relationship between good governance and sustainable livelihoods for women. Collaboration for forging sustainable livelihoods of women has
been a driver to enhance resilient assets. Governance is not restricted just to the role
of government but also involves other parties such as the extractive industry and
civil society (Davies 2005). It is part of the role of these three parties to aid women
in developing asset-based adaptation strategies to help women forge sustainable
livelihoods. Furthermore, understanding the political and economic agendas of
international companies involved in operations is necessary to gage the impact and
success of sustainable livelihood development and capacity building initiatives.
Exploration projects currently undertaken by Canadian companies occupy large
areas of land that host important reserves of gold. Informal miners who previously
worked in this area are involved in ongoing negotiations with the Canadian company to explore possibilities of relocation and opportunities for their livelihood
transformations. A group of informal miners has obtained a concession to keep mining the land where the Canadian company operates. Current dialogues between
small-scale informal miners and multinational corporations have a strong focus on
17 SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions