CCJP Karonga Engages Mining Committee Members to Bridge Gap
The training aims to provide these members with knowledge to reduce the gap between mining owners and community members.
Karonga, Malawi– The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) under the Karonga diocese, as part of the Women Voice against Poverty and Inequalities in the Extractive Sector project, has organized a two-day training program for mining committee members from the Kasikizi coal mining area in Mpata under Group Village Head Mwenenguwe, writes Tawonga Chisale.
The training aims to provide these members with knowledge to reduce the gap between mining owners and community members.
Vincent Bwinga, the Project Coordinator for Women against Poverty and Inequalities in the mining sector, emphasized the positive impact of imparting knowledge to mining committee members.
This knowledge will help bridge the gap between investors and communities near mining sites, reducing potential conflicts among them.
"We have thought it wise to engage mining committee members in two days of training to ensure that issues related to limited participation of women in the mining sector, violations of labor rights among those working in mining sites, and environmental degradation are addressed through the efforts of the mining committee," said Bwinga.
The training engaged two committees: the general mining committee, consisting of both genders, and the Women's Voice committee, which focuses on women's participation.
"We decided to have two groups because our project targets women, ensuring their voices are heard directly in the community and with the authorities. This is especially important for issues related to poverty and inequalities affecting women in their communities," added Bwinga.
Bwinga encouraged committee members to approach mining investors responsibly, providing evidence and engaging in productive dialogues to create positive relationships.
This approach will make it easier to resolve issues and ensure the community benefits from mining.
A representative of the Women Voice committee, Thandiwe Nyirenda, expressed appreciation for the training, stating that it equips them with knowledge about mining issues and how to address concerns with mining investors.
"The training has come at the right time as it has given us knowledge on mining issues and how to voice our concerns regarding environmental, health, labor, and gender rights through the Women Voice Against Poverty and Inequalities in the extractive sector project," said Nyirenda. She added that women will now benefit equally from mining sites without fear.
Alufeyo Haward Musachi, representing the general mining committee, explained that the knowledge gained from the training will allow the community to work cooperatively with mining investors, eliminating past issues that hindered their benefits.
The CCJP Women Voice against Poverty and Inequalities in the Extractive Sector project is funded by the Southern Africa Trust (SAT) and has a duration of one year.
The training is expected to empower community members and promote better relationships between the mining industry and the local population.