The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), yesterday, renewed its call for a deliberate policy to broaden women participation in the oil, gas and mining industries.
The Executive Secretary, NEITI, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja by the Head, Communications and Stakeholders’ Management, Obiageli Onuorah, in commemoration of the International Women’s Day (IWD).
Orji expressed regret that despite the enormous potential and capacity of Nigerian women in skills acquisition, sound education especially in the mining and geo-sciences, the oil gas and mining industries are still being wrongly perceived as business for men.
He continued: “A close look at data on gender from the NEITI’s last Solid Minerals Independent Industry Reports shows that out of 102 companies covered by NEITI process, only 29 companies provided information and data on gender participation and employment opportunities in relation to women. And from the report, out of the 5,820 employees, only 14% of them were women.
Dr Orji further disclosed that in the petroleum industry, the ratio of men to women in terms of investments participation, job opportunities and beneficial ownership of oil and gas assets are even worse.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to work with women to remove structural barriers that impede women, girls, and other vulnerable groups from participating in sustainable natural resource management and other potential gender impacts of extractive activities.
NEITI will work with women to remove structural barriers that impede women, girls, and other vulnerable groups from participating in sustainable natural resource management and other potential gender impacts of extractive activities.
Already, many notable non-governmental organisations have been identified as key allies to NEITI to drive the process. They are Women in Extractive, Women in Mining in Nigeria, Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN), and the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).
Others include Extractive 360, Spaces for Change, Centre for Transparency and Accountability, CSR-in-Action, Kabetkache Women Development and Resource Centre amongst others. These are organizations in the sector, driven by reputable Women with track records gathered overtime in the extractive sector reforms and governance.
Orji also informed that NEITI has just concluded a scoping research study on enhancing gender equity and inclusiveness in managing the country’s diverse extractive sector and the environmental impact to women and their livelihoods.
The study focused on the impact of mining in our communities through the prism of gender inclusivity and impact.
The Research also looked at the employment opportunities, ownership structure and the implications for decision-making and benefit sharing for women in the mining industry.
The two reports are to be released before the end of the month, he added.
While saluting the courage, sacrifice and valued contribution of Nigerian women, he urged to take interest in the NEITI reports and use the contents to demand a just, fair and active gender equity in natural resource governance in Nigeria.
He continued: “Except women are involved and understand the content of the reports and the values they bring to pushing the boundaries of opportunities in favour of women, through information and data, they cannot appreciate the need to use information and data in NEITI reports to hold the government, companies and the larger society accountable.”
The International Women’s Day, which is celebrated annually on March 8, raises attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
