- Chiedza Chipangura spoke at the Hope-Fay Public Lecture Series on Women and Mining.
- She urged women to avoid competition and support each other in the mining sector.
- Her group runs training, mentorship, and awards to empower women miners.
CHIEDZA Chipangura, founder of Women Empowerment in Mining Zimbabwe, has urged women to work together and push for greater inclusion in the mining sector.
Speaking at the Hope-Fay Public Lecture Series on Women and Mining, Chipangura said, “That dependence syndrome must go. If you empower a woman in mining, you have empowered a community.”
The lecture, hosted by the Zimbabwe School of Mines and the Women’s University in Africa, marked International Women’s Day and focused on challenges facing women miners, including access to finance, licenses, and safety.
Chipangura urged women to avoid competition and instead support each other. “Do not compete with anyone, even amongst yourselves. Remember you are your own woman. We need to compliment each other,” she said.
Her organisation runs mentorship programmes, training workshops, and annual awards that recognise women’s achievements in mining. The awards have been hailed as “a vehicle for empowering female miners” by industry observers.
Women miners in Zimbabwe face barriers such as limited access to capital, difficulties in obtaining mining claims, and cultural bias in a male-dominated industry. “We are happy people, we celebrate each other,” Chipangura said. “My joy comes from making another woman smile.”
Women Empowerment in Mining Zimbabwe says its goal is to build a network of women leaders across the mining value chain by 2030. The group also advocates for policy changes to improve safety and inclusion.
Chipangura called on government, mining companies, and communities to support women’s empowerment. “By doing so, we can create a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous mining sector that benefits all,” she said.
