June 2009, The World Bank: World Bank: Oil, Gas, and Mining Policy Division
This publication explores how men and women are differently impacted by the extractive industries, and the implications of this on the sustainable development of their communities, as well as on the profitability of extractive industry operations themselves. The publication explores the gender dimensions of EI in terms of:
- Employment and income: while EI often create jobs, there are significant gender disparities in male and female access to - and types of - jobs. Furthermore, men and women typically prioritize and spend income quite differently, such that changes in income and employment can significantly impact investments in health, nutrition, and education at the household level.
- Environment: EI operations often have substantial environmental impacts, including conversion of land to new uses, as well as environmental changes and degradation. These changes can impact agriculture, as well as the time it takes to collect water, firewood, and food – often tasks associated with women – in addition to creating health implications that again often have greater ramifications for women, in terms of burden of care.
- Community Consultations: Women are often left out of community decision-making processes, giving them less say in how EI resources are spent. Men and women often prioritize differently, and evidence indicates frequently more sustainable outcomes where women have more say in setting priorities for investments.
- Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM): Women often have specific and unique roles in ASM, which can create unique health and safety risks in artisanal and small-scale mining.
