Kwale, KENYA: More women have been urged to venture into the mining industry.
Speaking at Base Titanium during a bench marking exercise at the mining firm in Kwale county, Association for Women in Extractives and Energy in Kenya (AWEIK) patron Betty Gikonyo underscored the importance of women in mining citing their immense contribution in the sector’s revenue.
“Women play an active role in the mining sector and should not be left behind,” she said.
Gikonyo urged women to consider working in the mining industry and never be frustrated that the affair is only meant for men.
She said that AWEIK has been working closely with government and private investors to advocate for gender inclusivity in the mining firms.
“We have embarked on training and educating women to prepare them for professional opportunities and generate relevant information such as entry-level points into the mining sector for women through Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related courses,” she said.
Gikonyo lauded Base Titanium for being in the forefront to ensure gender inclusion in mining companies in Africa.
She noted that the association has empowered women financially through formation of a Sacco that gives them opportunity to invest their money.
“We have formed Madini Sacco that gives women a platform to save their money as well as enable them to seek support from other miners,” she said.
