Kgopotso leads women’s empowerment in mining industry
Chakalisa Dube | Monday March 25, 2024 10:57
Mmegi: Can you briefly introduce yourself and describe your role as the chairperson of the Women’s Wing within the BMWU?
Kgopotso: My name is Budzwani Kgopotso and I am honoured to serve as the chairperson of the Women’s Wing of the BMWU. In this role, I am dedicated to advocating for the rights and wellbeing of women working in the mining sector. My responsibilities include promoting gender equality, addressing workplace challenges specific to women, and fostering a supportive environment where women can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the mining industry.
Mmegi: What motivated you to take on this leadership position within the union?
Kgopotso: My motivation to take up the role of chairperson of the Women’s Wing stems from a deep commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women within the mining industry. Witnessing the unique challenges faced by women in this sector fuelled my determination to advocate for their rights, create opportunities, and foster an inclusive environment. I believe that through this position, I can contribute to positive change, address gender disparities, and work towards a more equitable and supportive workplace for all women in the mining sector.
Mmegi: Can you provide an overview of the Women’s Wing’s role and mission within the BMWU, particularly in advocating for women’s rights and representation in the mining industry?
Kgopotso: The Women’s Wing within the union plays a crucial role in championing the rights and representation of women in the mining industry. Our mission revolves around three key pillars:
l Advocacy for Women’s Rights: We actively advocate for gender equality, fair treatment, and improved working conditions for women in mining. This involves addressing issues such as equal pay, non-discrimination, and promoting a safe and inclusive workplace environment.
l Empowerment and Skill Development: We are dedicated to empowering women within the union by providing opportunities for skill development, training, and education. This not only enhances their professional capabilities but also contributes to breaking down barriers as well as helping them advance their careers in the mining sector.
l Promoting Women’s Representation: The Women’s Wing is committed to increasing the representation of women in leadership roles within the union and the mining industry at large. We work towards ensuring that women’s voices are heard at decision-making tables, fostering an environment where their perspectives contribute to shaping policies and practices.
Mmegi: What are the most pressing issues affecting women in the mining industry in Botswana today, and how is the Women’s Wing working towards addressing these issues?
Kgopotso: Some of the key challenges faced by women in Botswana include:
l Gender Pay Gap: Women often experience a wage disparity compared to their male counterparts in similar roles within the mining sector. The Women’s Wing is actively working towards addressing this issue by advocating for the enactment of equal pay policies and transparent remuneration structures.
l Workplace Safety: Ensuring the safety of women in mining is paramount. The Women’s Wing collaborates with the union and industry stakeholders to enhance safety measures, implement gender-sensitive safety protocols, and provide training to mitigate risks specific to women.
l Representation in Leadership: Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions within the mining industry. The Women’s Wing is committed to promoting women’s leadership roles by encouraging mentorship programmes, advocating for inclusive hiring practices, and supporting women’s professional development.
l Work-Life Balance: Balancing work and personal life can be challenging for women in the mining sector. The Women’s Wing has started advocating for policies that support work-life balance, including flexible working arrangements and family-friendly initiatives.
l Access to Training and Advancement Opportunities: The Women’s Wing focuses on ensuring that women have equal access to training and development opportunities, enhancing their skills and facilitating career advancement within the mining industry.
Mmegi: How does the Women’s Wing collaborate with other stakeholders, such as government agencies, NGOs, or international organisations, to advance gender equality and improve working conditions for women in the mining sector?
Kgopotso: The Women’s Wing collaborates with various stakeholders to advance gender equality and improve working conditions for women in the mining sector. This collaboration includes engagement with government agencies, NGOs, and international organisations in the following ways:
l Policy Advocacy: The Women’s Wing actively engages with government agencies to advocate for policies that promote gender equality and address challenges faced by women in the mining industry. This involves participating in discussions, providing input, and collaborating on the development and implementation of inclusive policies.
l Training and Capacity Building: Collaborating with NGOs and international organisations, the Women’s Wing works to facilitate training programmes and capacity-building initiatives for women in the mining sector. This collaboration helps enhance skills, knowledge, and opportunities for career development.
l Research and Data Collection: Partnering with relevant organisations, the Women’s Wing contributes to research efforts aimed at understanding the specific needs and challenges of women in mining. This data-driven approach informs policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
l Awareness Campaigns: Working alongside NGOs and international organisations, the Women’s Wing participates in awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of gender equality and the role of women in the mining industry. These campaigns aim to challenge stereotypes, promote diversity, and garner support for gender-inclusive practices.
l Networking and Alliances: The Women’s Wing actively seeks partnerships and alliances with organisations that share similar goals. This collaborative approach strengthens advocacy efforts, facilitates the exchange of best practices, and broadens the impact of initiatives aimed at improving conditions for women in mining.
Mmegi: Can you share any success stories or notable achievements of the Women’s Wing in promoting women’s rights and empowerment within the BMWU and the broader mining community?
Kgopotso: The Women’s Wing has achieved significant milestones in promoting women’s rights and empowerment within the BMWU and the broader mining community. Notably, we successfully conducted our first executive elections and have initiated collaboration with the Gender department to implement a comprehensive gender policy. Additionally, we organised a successful workshop on ILO Convention 190 addressing Harassment and Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace showcasing the commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for women in the mining sector.
Mmegi: What strategies does the Women’s Wing employ to ensure that the voices and concerns of women mine workers are heard and integrated into union policies and decision-making processes?
Kgopotso: The Women’s Wing employs several strategies to ensure the voices and concerns of women mine workers are heard and integrated into union policies and decision-making processes:
l Representation in Leadership: Actively promoting the representation of women in leadership roles within the union ensures that their perspectives are directly involved in decision-making. This representation enhances the likelihood that policies will address the unique challenges faced by women in the mining sector.
l Regular Consultations and Feedback Sessions: The Women’s Wing organises regular consultations and feedback sessions with women mine workers to understand their concerns and gather input. This direct engagement helps identify specific issues that need attention and ensures that the voices of women are considered when formulating policies.
l Task Forces and Committees: Establishing specialised task forces or committees within the Women’s Wing allows for focused discussions on issues affecting women in mining. These groups work collaboratively to propose recommendations and solutions, which can then be integrated into broader union policies.
l Advocacy Campaigns: Engaging in advocacy campaigns both within the union and externally helps raise awareness about the challenges faced by women in the mining industry. By mobilising support and generating visibility, the Women’s Wing amplifies the voices of women, making it more likely for their concerns to be addressed.
l Collaboration with Allies: Building alliances with other union members, supportive colleagues, and external organisations strengthens the Women’s Wing’s influence. Collaborative efforts ensure that a collective voice is heard, making it more compelling for decision-makers to consider and incorporate the concerns of women mine workers.
l Education and Training: Providing education and training on gender issues and the specific challenges faced by women in mining fosters awareness amongst union members and leaders. This understanding is crucial for creating a culture that values and integrates the voices of women into decision-making processes.
Mmegi: Are there any legislative or policy changes that the Women’s Wing is currently advocating for to better protect and promote the rights of women in the mining sector?
Kgopotso: The Women’s Wing is advocating for the domestication of policies in Botswana to safeguard women’s rights in the mining sector. This initiative aims to address gender-based discrimination, promote equal opportunities, and enhance workplace safety measures. It’s crucial to stay informed about updates from the Women’s Wing and relevant authorities in Botswana for the latest developments in this regard.
Mmegi: Looking ahead, what are the key priorities and goals for the Women’s Wing in the coming years in its efforts to advance gender equality and empower women in the Botswana mining industry?
Kgopotso: The Women’s Wing, is committed to prioritising key goals in advancing gender equality and empowering women in the Botswana mining industry. Our focus includes enhancing workplace diversity, advocating for equal opportunities, fostering skill development programmes for women, and actively participating in policy discussions to ensure comprehensive protection of women’s rights in the mining sector. Stay tuned for updates on our initiatives and ongoing efforts.