In Zambia, the Mansa Women in Mining Cooperative is forging a path in an industry that has long sidelined them. For these women, the stones they are mining are not just minerals, but rather symbols of hope, resilience, and the untapped potential of women in Africa’s mining sector.
The mining sector is the second largest contributor to Zambia’s economy, accounting for 17.5% of the nation’s GDP and over 70% of foreign exchange earnings in 2021. Yet, women remain largely excluded from its rewards.
Can this determined group of women change the status quo?
Zuba Network recently spoke with one of the cooperative’s trustees, Aggie Nalavwe Beardsmore, at the 3rd African Women in Processing Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She shared how the cooperative came together to address the economic challenges facing women in Zambia and explained why external support is critical to their success.
More in the video below
