Gender
The development effectiveness and sustainability of community development investments could increase significantly by taking into account how large footprint project-related activities can benefit men and women more equally. They include: 1) economic empowerment by improving access to employment, micro-credit, skills training and business development; 2) social empowerment through equal representation among community leaders and committees that negotiate on company activities and community concerns; 3) health and education campaigns to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and other high-risk diseases, improved health care services, adult literacy programs, and equal access to education for boys and girls; and 4) community safety initiatives to address violence against women. Importantly, when it comes to awareness raising and capacity building, both men and women should be targeted so they can buy in equally, otherwise women may face a dangerous backlash.
FEATURED RESOURCES
June 2005
The guidance note on Gender-Responsive Social Analysis was developed, in collaboration with the Gender and Development Department of the World Bank, with several audiences in mind. It is addressed primarily to social scientists within and outside the Bank who are expected to assist our clients—Bank task managers and project authorities in borrowing countries—in integrating gender and social dimensions into Bank-financed operations. The guidance note will also support country managers and sector managers in ensuring that their task teams consider gender and social development dimensions adequately in the design and implementation of Bank-supported operations. Finally, the note is expected to be of use to governments, civil society and other stakeholders in considering how best to integrate attention to social issues in their development efforts.
2012
This is intended as an easy-to-use toolkit for understanding men’s and women’s differentiated access to the resources and opportunities associated with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and how they are affected by ASM. The Toolkit was produced by the Oil, Gas, and Mining Policy Unit (SEGOM) of the World Bank, through the generous support of the World Bank’s Gender Action Plan.
The idea for this guide originated from a specific site based request within Rio Tinto for information on incorporating gender considerations into a social baseline study. Advice was also sought regarding the development of gender appropriate programmes, located both within the business and the local community.
By Bernie Ward and John Strongman
The World Bank management response to the Extractive Industries Review identified community-related issues as an important area to be better addressed in World Bank extractive industry (EI) activities. As part of the World Bank Group’s work to implement the commitment, the Oil, Gas, and Mining Policy Unit of the World Bank has been engaging in community issues with a particular focus on women. This work so far has involved World Bank projects and research tasks in countries in Asia (Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Lao PDR), Eastern Europe (Poland and Romania) and Africa (Tanzania and Mozambique).
August, 2009
By Adriana Eftimie, Katherine Heller and John Strongman
Extractive industries (EI) can bring many positive development impacts to the communities involved, but also have the potential to create or exacerbate vulnerabilities within these communities. Benefits and risks are often evaluated and measured at the community level, with little examination of the different impacts on men and women. Women have a key role in creating this social license and in facilitating the social and economic development of their communities. Thus, understanding and consideration of how women and men are uniquely impacted by Extractive Industries (EI) – on the part of EI companies, governments, and donors – can increase the effectiveness and sustainability of EI operations.
2009
Given that mining is historically a male-dominated sector, companies and their systems, staff and workers are often not ready to seamlessly absorb women into the workplace. Significant cultural and systems changes are being made by the Lonmin-IFC program in the Preparation, Recruitment, Development and Retention of women.
2009
This manual provides a conceptual framework and a step-by-step guide to integrating women into the mining sector, as well as into other extractive and heavy industries. Successful integration of women ensures greater benefits for local communities and creates a more just and equitable society. The integration of women into these historically male-dominated industries is not easy, but when it is done well, it can have a transformative effect.
2004
This toolkit and resource guide has been produced jointly by the Sustainable Energy Programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ENERGIA, the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy. It is designed to help planners and practitioners integrate gender and energy considerations into development programmes, including those focusing on energy improvements as well as other types of development programmes.
The benefits and risks of extractive industries are often measured broadly at the community level, but fail to distinguish the impact on men and women. Evidence suggests that a gender bias exists in the distribution of risks and benefits in EI projects. The risks fall more heavily on women, while men tend to accrue more of the benefits. The development effectiveness and sustainability of EI projects could increase significantly by taking into account how gender bias issues affect the sector and how EI activities can benefit men and women more equally.