Gender Relations and Women’s Economic Empowerment in Artisanal Gemstone Mining in Taita Taveta County, Kenya.

Abstract

Women are involved in artisanal gemstone mining in an increased number as a way of improving their livelihoods. Gender relations has played an important role in determining the status of female miners at the production activities thus having an impact on their economic potential. This study was therefore guided by the following research objectives: to analyse the characteristics of gemstone artisanal miners, examine the gender roles at different stages of artisanal gemstone mining, investigate gender interactions which affect women’s empowerment in gemstone artisanal production processes and examine other factors affecting women’s economic empowerment in Artisanal gemstone mining. This study was framed on access theory that argues that individual’s ability to resources is dependent on a range of social relationships that can constrain or enable people to benefit from ownership, power over and the agency to make decisions. The study employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study sample was 50 artisanal gemstone miners, 27 female respondents and 23 male respondents from five mines in Mwatate area, Taita Taveta County, Kenya. The sample was drawn using snowballing. A statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used and data collected coded and analysed using descriptive statistics to generate frequency distribution tables and percentages. To show relationships, bi-variate analysis involving cross tabulation was done. From the findings, older individuals are the main participants with a high level of illiteracy in the sector. Majority of the miners have been attracted to this sector due to lack of a formal education, influence by family and friends and nearness of the mines to their homes. There are six main gemstone production phases that follow each other systematically for an effective gemstone production. The phases include exploration, extraction, separation and sorting, washing, grading and marketing. Gender representation and gender roles and responsibilities vary in different production phases. Women’s economic empowerment is determined by gender interactions at different phases. Gender relations vary at different forms of mining. Gender discrimination as a result of gender interactions is the major factor affecting women’s economic empowerment. Cultural norms, unequal roles and responsibilities, extreme sexism, income disparities are the main contributors to gender discrimination at different production phases. The main factors analysed that contribute to women’s economic empowerment are; gender equality measures, access to finance, power to control resources, formal trainings and formation of women associations. Gender relations is a very critical concept in terms of how it affects women’s economic empowerment. These relations are inevitable as they occur in all production processes. From the findings, gender relations can either empower or disempower female miners. Gender interactions can boost women’s economic empowerment if there exists equality and unity at the mines. Positive change would be strongly impacted if it starts with the behaviours and attitudes of the miners.