Gender and Child Labor Issues in Mining: A Preliminary Study on the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) Industry in Davao Oriental, Philippines

Artisanal and small scale mining (ASM) continues to proliferate in almost all provinces of the country and a large number of rural poor primarily depends on this mining sub-sector. With the dearth of literatures and official baseline data, this study aims to provide a broad understanding, albeit preliminary, on this economic activity by highlighting gender roles, child labor, and other related issues. Significant findings are presented to demystify the conventional wisdom and existing knowledge on the role of women and the participation of child laborers in this “male-dominated” economic pursuit. With mining seriously considered by the current administration to be among the primary drivers of the Philippine economy, ASM is expected to further expand in scope and volume of productions. The results of this study may be considered in crafting policies and decisions within the broader context of mining governance in the country.