SARW Participation in “Women in Mining: Opportunities and Safety” – BBC Media Action & ZNBC Forum

The Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) participated in a televised panel discussion organized by BBC Media Action in partnership with ZNBC, titled “Women in Mining: Opportunities and Safety.” The event was held on 23rd March 2026 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka and brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector.

The discussion formed part of The Forum, a public television platform designed to stimulate dialogue on critical national issues. It explored barriers to women’s participation in the mining sector, while also examining opportunities for inclusion and empowerment. Key thematic areas included access to mining opportunities, the reasons behind low female participation, and the safety and welfare of women in mining environments. Additional focus was placed on environmental and public health concerns, land dispossession, and the broader socio-economic impacts of mining activities on women.

SARW was represented by Edward Lange, Senior Programmes Officer, who contributed to the debate as part of Panel B. In his intervention, he highlighted the structural and policy-related challenges limiting women’s equitable participation in the extractive sector. He also emphasized the need for stronger safeguards to address land rights, environmental protection, and occupational safety, particularly for women in mining communities.

The forum provided an important platform for multi-stakeholder engagement and reaffirmed SARW’s commitment to advocating for gender-responsive policies and inclusive governance in the mining sector.