WOME&NMJD holds learning solidarity and exchange visit in Sierra Leone
By Mohamed Konneh
Women on Mining and Extractives (WOME) and the Network Movement for Justice and Development with support from WoMIN South Africa on Wednesday 8th May held a learning, solidarity and exchange programme in Sierra Leone. The session brought together participants from across Africa, including Senegal, Ivory Burkina Faso Ivory Coast, Liberia and Cameroun.
The programme held at the Family Kingdom was geared towards sharing experience especially the impact of mining on women.
Briefing the press, the Executive Director of Network Movement for Justice and Development, Abu Brima said in the natural resource world, men dominate and for the simple fact that the sector has money.
Mr. Brima noted that in the process of extracting, Women suffered the more.
“Mining takes away land where women do their farming, it pollute the water and the reason from across Africa women are now raising their voice so that they too can benefit from the sector,” Mr. Brima said.
The NMJD Executive Director noted that there are critical aspects that have been raised for the attention of government, civil society groups and the media.
This he said is so and for communities to strive where water will not be polluted, land for farming are not taken away or destroyed.
“Women from across Africa are now raising awareness and wants authorities to listen to their voices and cries,” he said.
Esther Finda Kandeh National Cordinator Women on Mining and Extractives (WOME) in her statement said ‘if we fail to take action now, so much will impact on our lives negatively’.
Madam Kandeh noted that this is a collective effort as these women have now come together to raise their voices.
She said Women continue to suffer within mining communities as most of them have lost their farm lands including their ancestral land.
Madam Georgie from WoMIN-South Africa when speaking, extended appreciation to the press, the communities for raising their voices on the issues affecting women in mining communities in Sierra Leone and from across Africa.
She said WoMIN is based in South Africa and that they are a Pan African organization.
“WoMIN has noticed that when mining companies come they should seek consent from the community, including the elderly, women, and chiefs. This is not the case in most parts of Africa and this is injustice and the reason why WoMIN was formed,’ she said.
Madam Georgie noted that for this project countries in Africa were selected and they including Burkina Faso, Cameron, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Liberia.
“We are in solidarity with communities resisting mining activities that are impacting negatively on their lives and communities. This is why we are here to share our experiences, she said.
The position paper put together was read by two locals from Sierra Leone mining communities.
