Gender and the Extractive Industries: Putting gender on the corporate agenda

Overview

Persistent and structural gender inequality within the extractive industries continues to undermine women’s rights and the development potential of the sector. A failure to engage women from impacted communities means that companies lack important information and perspectives and, as a result, face various risks to their own interests.
This paper presents the case for extractive industry companies to take off the gender blindfold and work towards gender equality and the realisation of women’s rights. It also describes the role of a company gender policy and gender impact assessment in achieving better outcomes for the women, men, girls and boys in those communities affected by extractive projects. The paper includes some case studies that demonstrate the risks to companies of ignoring gender issues.