Low-technology, labour-intensive mineral extraction and processing, of mostly gold and diamonds, commonly referred to as
ASM (ASM) offers employment opportunities to so many families in Sierra Leone. ASM is a major non-farm, mostly offseason activity that is a vital source of income to people in the rural areas. This study, which was conducted in the Kono and
Bo districts, sought to examine the effects of ASM on women and children as a group. It used a qualitative case study to
collect primary data and conducted unstructured individual interviews and held focus group discussions with men, women and
children of these communities, employing the purposive sampling approach. Women and children are often poorly paid,
discriminated against, suffer sexual and gender-based violence and get injured or sick doing the activities but lack redress
systems to support them. ASM is also a contributory cause to land degradation, pollution of water bodies and brings in its
wake social problems. However, income from their participation in the ASM or ASM-related activities offer valuable sources
of livelihoods for their families, significantly contributes to maintaining children in school, increases the dignity of women
through their contribution to family expenditure and supports in meeting other needs. The study found that the factors working
against women and children in ASM also result from cultural practices, traditional beliefs and gendered and generational
norms that are reinforced by gendered institutions. ASM in Sierra Leone still operates mostly in the shadows and is often
illegal and unregulated, the benefits of which go to the traditional rulers, landowners, financiers and some government
officials. This study recommends reviewing and reforming the legal, policy, regulatory and institutional systems with a view to
making ASM legal and regulated so as to 1) raise revenue from its operations through taxes 2) protect the rights of the workers
involved in the ASM activities, 3) disrupt the informal arrangements that benefit only a privileged few and 4) contribute to
meeting the SDG targets.
Abimbilla, B. S., & Mwelwa, A. (2024). Examining the effects of artisanal and small-scale mining on women and children in Kono and Bo Districts of Sierra Leone. International Journal of Educational Research and Studies, 6(2), 17-25. https://multidisciplinaryarticle.org/assets/archives/2024/vol6issue2/6022.pdf