Understanding gender-based violence in critical mineral mining

With the global boom in critical mineral and metal mining, there is an urgent need to increase investment in tackling the sector’s complex social and human rights impacts — including the risk of gender-based violence (GBV).

The context and realities of the mining sector often exacerbate the systemic inequalities and harmful gender practices that are known to underpin GBV; and the legal, financial, reputational and operational risks posed by GBV should incentivise policymakers and companies to act across the supply chain.

This briefing proposes a collaborative, multistakeholder response that is underpinned by a deep understanding of structural inequalities to transform gender relations and design programmes and policies to tackle and prevent GBV within mining workplaces and communities.