UNECA /UN Women Commision Reaserch To Empower Women

In times past, it was a taboo for a woman to undertake certain duties, including mining in Ghana. Women were not allowed to get into a pit because it was believed if they did, during menstruation, all the precious minerals like gold and diamond could vanish. These beliefs has made it very difficult for major female participation in mining sector though a few have made inroads in that area and it is for this reason the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa UNECA and United Nations Women has commissioned a research to inform policy, advocacy and programming in ways of opening up opportunities for women. According to the Principal Research officer, Prof. Richard Amankwah, the study will examine the legal framework of the laws governing Small to medium scale mining, with respect to women. �The research would be geared towards raising issues on how women, who have ventured into this mainly male domain, can be assisted�. ��budgeting and women�s empowerment would be looked at. And that has to do with issuing of licenses and how the women can grow their finances� he said. The impediments with regards to access to finances and its associated problems like collaterals would also be taken into consideration. However, in an address read on her behalf, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGSCP), Hon. Nana Oye Lithur has promised unwavering support for the project attributed the less attention given to women in small scale mining to the lack of statistics and information on these women which will guide policy makers in the planning process. The Minister also extended the gratitude of government to UNECA/UN Women for putting together such a project geared towards sustainable development of the African Continent.