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By Akanji Alowolodo, Bauchi
Women in Mining in Nigeria, a non-governmental and professional association on Wednesday, begun a two-day research validation exercise in Bauchi state.
The validation exercise was sequel to the research carried out recently in the state along with two other states
across the country to examine the issues surrounding the rights of women and children in Nigeria’s mining sector.
The Research Validation is part of WIMIN’s programme to Safeguard the Rights of Women and Children in the Mining Sector in Nigeria, and is supported by Open Society Foundation (OSF) in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The group mapped out three states for this crucial programme and Bauchi State on its merit, made the list.
According to the President, Women in Mining Nigeria, Engr Janet Adeyemi, there is need to understand the problem and appreciate the situation that Women and children face in the
communities selected, so that meaningful action can be taken.
According to her, “This programme to validate the Research conducted in Bauchi State will open our perspective to the human rights issues in the
local mining host communities here in Bauchi, such as the Gwana Mining Community, Toro and other places we have on our spotlight.
Janet Adeyemi added that, “As we engage with stakeholders, we want to challenge the state government
especially the State Ministry of Natural Resources who have just recently been approved to function as an independent ministry away from the Ministry of Agriculture to direct its attention
on the gender-based issues in the mining sector in Bauchi and I believe this is one of their mandate as a ministry
The WIMIN President added that the research validation exercise is necessary to ensure quality control in the data collection process of WIMIN’s commitment to Safeguard Women and Children in the solid mineral sector.
She stressed that, “This is the only way to ensure the right policies and actions are put in place to bring about meaningful change and successfully mainstream gender in the sector.”
