Traditional norms and beliefs continue to hinder the progress of women in modern Zambia with one classic example being the mining of gold in some parts of rural Zambia.
Women at Kasunga Njela Mine in Shiwang’andu District in Muchinga province are not allowed to access the mine as it is believed that minerals disappear in their presence.
It is believed that this is so because of their menstrual cycle.
The traditional leadership in Chief Mukwikile has since guided that women should not go into the mining area without a wrapper (chitenge) so as not to affect the mining of gold in any way.
This has, however, not settled well with the women who have described the practice as discriminatory and unfair.
Hildah Mwewa of Luapula province, who cannot access the mine, tells Diamond News that raising money for her school going children through the sale of food items is competitive hence the need for the traditional practice to be abolished so that she can be allowed to join men in mining.
She says both men and women who travel long distances in search of opportunities should be accorded an equal share of the minerals.
Meanwhile, despite being stopped from getting to the pits, Diamond News managed to secure an interview with a gold miner from Lusaka, Elias Mwaba, who shared the challenges being experienced at the mine, among them, harassment of Zambians by Tanzanian nationals.
Mr. Mwaba is dismayed that foreign nationals are being allowed to exercise more power over Zambians to an extent that a pit that has more gold can be grabbed and given to a foreigner despite having made the weekly contributions of K250 to the traditional leadership.
And another miner, Eric Chanda, is pleading with government not to chase them from the newly discovered mine just like the case is in Mumbwa and Kanyelele but instead structure their operations so that they may continue to mine and earn an income.
Over 5, 000 people have flocked the Kasunga Njela mine which was discovered in June this year, among them miners, buyers and traders.
The mine is located 56 kilometers from the Great North Road, south-west of Shiwang’andu.
Shiwang’andu Member of Parliament Stephen Kampyongo visited the mine to appreciate the challenges that miners face.
By Cecilia Kayaya Mporokoso