Democratic Republic of the Congo: How The Mining Business is Helping Women in Congo Escape Isolation


Nov 5, 2019 | Eleonora Vio, TRT World
View Original

Congolese women entered the mining sector in the late 90s and ever since they have been fighting discrimination, superstition and outdated customs, while they successfully bring more and more women into the workforce.

On a June morning this year  in the city of Goma in Congo's North Kivu province, a small crowd of women gather around the well to fill water buckets they carry on their heads, while children run cheerfully, giving each other a giddying chase.Around them is a landscape of dark volcanic soil, with clusters of houses and a local market which acts as a main junction, where fresh fruits and vegetables and radio transmitters are sold.Tucked away from the market bustle and loud music coming from the radio sets, a gated villa with a strong metal door stands in a stark contrast.