The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is set to host a landmark continental workshop in Accra, Ghana, on 25-26 September 2025, aimed at advancing the socio-economic rights of women across the continent. This pivotal event will focus particularly on the challenges and opportunities faced by women in the context of extractive industries, sectors often marked by economic disparities and rights violations. Bringing together policymakers, activists, experts, and industry stakeholders, the workshop seeks to foster collaborative strategies and bolster protections that promote gender equality and empower women economically. As the continent continues to harness its natural resources, this gathering underscores a critical commitment to ensuring that women’s rights and contributions are central to sustainable development efforts.
Continental Workshop Aims to Strengthen Socio-Economic Rights of Women in Extractive Industries
The two-day workshop, scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, bringing together policymakers, civil society representatives, and industry stakeholders from across Africa, focuses on the critical need to bolster the socio-economic rights of women engaged in extractive industries. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women in this sector, including limited access to resources, workplace discrimination, and inadequate legal protections, the event aims to foster collaborative strategies to empower women economically and socially. Participants will delve into frameworks that ensure gender-responsive policies, equitable employment opportunities, and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
Key thematic areas to be addressed include:
- Gender-sensitive regulatory reforms geared towards inclusivity and equity.
- Capacity building and skills development tailored for women in mining, oil, and gas sectors.
- Strengthening community engagement to safeguard women’s rights and participation.
- Access to justice and legal remedies for victims of discrimination and harassment.
| Workshop Component | Objective | Expected Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Dialogue | Review existing legislations | Recommendations for gender-responsive reforms |
| Training Sessions | Enhance skills & leadership | Empowered women leaders in extractive sectors |
| Networking | Expand partnerships | Stronger multi-sector collaboration |
Key Challenges and Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment in Ghana’s Resource Sector Explored
The extractive industries in Ghana present a unique landscape where both challenges and opportunities coexist for advancing women’s empowerment. Despite contributing significantly to the national economy, the resource sector remains largely male-dominated, often limiting women’s direct participation and access to decision-making roles. Key obstacles include persistent gender biases, limited access to technical training, and insufficient enforcement of policies aimed at protecting women’s socio-economic rights within mining communities. Furthermore, environmental issues tied to resource extraction disproportionately affect women, impacting their livelihoods and health, which underscores the urgent need for gender-sensitive approaches in policy formulation and industry regulation.
Opportunities to transform this sector into an inclusive space for women are emerging. Several initiatives are focusing on capacity building, entrepreneurship, and community engagement to elevate women’s roles from labor to leadership. Strategies such as inclusive hiring practices, gender-responsive impact assessments, and support for women-led enterprises are gaining ground. The workshop will feature discussions around:
- Enhancing legal frameworks to safeguard women’s rights in extractive activities
- Promoting access to education and vocational training tailored for women in mining regions
- Strengthening community-based resource management with active women’s participation
- Leveraging technology to create safer and more equitable workplaces
| Challenge | Opportunity |
|---|---|
| Gender-based discrimination in mining employment | Development of gender-inclusive recruitment policies |
| Limited access to financial resources for women entrepreneurs | Creation of microfinance schemes targeting women in resource communities |
| Environmental degradation impacting women’s livelihoods | Community environmental monitoring involving women leaders |
Recommendations Emphasize Policy Reform and Inclusive Practices to Safeguard Women’s Rights
Participants at the workshop urged governments and stakeholders across the continent to accelerate efforts in policy reform that prioritizes the protection and empowerment of women, especially those affected by extractive industries. Key recommendations called for the integration of gender-responsive laws that ensure equitable access to land, resources, and employment opportunities while strengthening legal frameworks against gender-based violence and discrimination. Emphasizing collaboration between civil society, private sector entities, and local communities, the workshop highlighted the need for comprehensive accountability mechanisms that amplify women’s voices in decision-making processes.
Inclusive practices emerged as a central pillar, with experts advocating for capacity-building initiatives that equip women with the skills and resources necessary to participate meaningfully in socio-economic development. These practices include targeted training programs, community engagement platforms, and the establishment of support networks that foster resilience and leadership. The workshop also proposed a multi-stakeholder monitoring matrix to track implementation progress of gender-sensitive policies, underscoring transparency and continuous improvement as fundamental to safeguarding women’s rights in diverse contexts.
| Key Recommendations | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Adopt gender-responsive legislation | Legal Reform |
| Establish accountability frameworks | Governance |
| Promote women’s leadership training | Capacity Building |
| Create community engagement platforms | Inclusive Practices |
| Implement multi-stakeholder monitoring | Accountability |
Final Thoughts
The Continental Workshop held on 25-26 September 2025 in Accra, Ghana, marks a significant step forward in advancing the socio-economic rights of women across Africa, particularly within the challenging context of extractive industries. By bringing together key stakeholders-from government representatives and civil society organizations to industry players and regional human rights experts-the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has fostered a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and actionable strategies. As discussions conclude, the workshop’s outcomes are expected to influence policy reforms and strengthen mechanisms that uphold women’s rights and economic empowerment throughout the continent’s resource sectors. The commission’s continued commitment underscores the critical importance of protecting vulnerable populations while promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Africa.