Empowering Women in ASM: Advancing Inclusive, Safe, and Sustainable Mining Solutions

August 6, 2025

Godfrey Nyamrunda from UNDP addresses participants at the “Empowering Women in ASM” workshop in Dodoma, convening over 100 women to advance gender equity, safety, and sustainability in artisanal and small-scale mining.

UNDP Tanzania

A Landmark Gathering for Women in Mining

Dodoma has set the stage for a stronger, safer, and more inclusive future in Tanzania’s mining sector. The national workshop “Empowering Women in ASM: Inclusive, Safe & Sustainable Mining Solutions” brought together over 100 women from across the country’s mining value chain.

Organised by UNDP Tanzania, the Ministry of Minerals, and the Tanzania Women in Mining and Mineral Industry (TWIMMI) under the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme (funded by the European Union), the two-day event focused on industrial minerals, construction materials, and other locally vital development minerals.

ASM: A Pillar of Tanzania’s Economy

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is a cornerstone of Tanzania’s economy—accounting for more than 33% of national exports and sustaining millions of livelihoods, 40% of them women. Yet, women miners still face structural barriers, safety risks, and limited representation in leadership.

“The 2022 Census revealed over 6 million Tanzanians are engaged in ASM activities—many of them women,” noted Eng. Ally Samaje, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Minerals. He highlighted initiatives like Mining for Better Tomorrow (MBT) aimed at making ASM safer, more inclusive, and economically viable.

Data to Drive Change

A key highlight was the launch of the Baseline Assessment of Development Minerals in Tanzania, offering critical data to guide policy, programming, and future investments.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in dynamic panels exploring key issues such as:

Gender equity in mining leadership
Legal and policy reforms
Access to justice and land rights
Safety, health, and environmental protection
Storytelling and lived experiences of women miners

A Symbol of Safety and Inclusion
In a symbolic move toward safer mining practices, women miners received occupational safety kits—reinforcing the call for improved health and safety standards across the sector.

From Participation to Leadership
The event was more than a workshop—it was a catalyst for change. Participants left with new partnerships, practical tools, and a shared vision for women-led transformation in ASM. As one participant put it:
“We don’t just want to be included—we want to lead, shape, and transform the sector.”

A Shared Commitment to an Inclusive Future
With the continued commitment of TWIMMI, the Ministry of Minerals, the European Union, and UNDP, Tanzania’s mining sector is on course to become inclusive, safe, and sustainable—for everyone.