International Finance Corporation
The rapid development of the mining sector in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has illuminated the hardships faced by women in society, and in some cases, exacerbated them. The World Bank’s Women in Mining Initiative (WIM) was the first systematic attempt to give these women a voice. The initiative helped to build strong women’s communities at the local level, linked them to women’s groups at the national level, and strengthened their agency with local governments and mining companies. The result? Stronger representation, improved community development programs, and greater economic and social opportunities for women in mining areas. This smart lesson provides an overview of how these outcomes were accomplished, the challenges faced in the process, and what author can learn from the ongoing experiences of the WIM in Papua New Guinea.
