Human rights and nongovernmental organisations Via Campesina Africa, volunteer-based nonprofit organisation Women in Mining (WiM) and the Southern African Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA) demanded of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), during a SADC people’s summit held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, on August 15 and 16, that heads of States enforce the increased representation of females in the mining industry.

The Via Campesina, WiM and RWA delegates formed part of more than 2 500 delegates drawn from grassroots movements, community and faith-based organisations, women’s organ-isations, labour, student organisations, and economic justice and human rights networks, among other social movements.

The summit, which convened at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds under the leadership of civil society organisations Southern Africa People’s Solidarity Network and People’s Dialogue, addressed the theme ‘Reclaiming SADC for People’s Development – SADC Resources for SADC People’.

In its address to the delegates, WiM observed that the mining industry has had a negative affect on the environment, and discussed various issues such as land dispossession and degradation – causing significant social ills – water grabs, water and air pollution, and increased HIV/Aids levels, teenage pregnancies and hunger.

WiM demanded that SADC countries overhaul the legal system governing mining, labour and the environment to protect commu-nities; safeguard land, air and ecosystems; and ensure that polluting companies are held accountable.

“The majority of women are not free because they lack independent access to land, natural resources and finances. Women spend many more hours every day doing unpaid domestic and care work in their families and communities, work which is not recognised, valued or remunerated,” stated the organisation.

WiM, RWA and Via Campesina also demanded that governments fulfil their commitment to allocate 10% of national budgets to agriculture, following the 2003 African Union Maputo declaration, which stated that SADC countries would allocate 10% of their annual budgets to agriculture.