Socio-economic and environmental impact of mining on women in Kasigau mining zone in Taita Taveta County

The Kasigau ward is home to many gemstones with their mining contributing to the county's economic development. The mining sector is dominated by artisanal and small scale mining with 3-5% of women employed. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was used to involve women with the aim of establishing home-grown interventions. Seven villages and forty nine households participated in household interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and female feedback reflection meetings to generate and analyze data. Women worked as zururas (workers) or employees, in deplorable environmental conditions, and were heavily impacted by mining activities. Women developed actionable strategies on productive engagement in the artisanal mining sector.