Push for gender equality in lithium mining

The Economic Justice for Women Project (EJWP), in partnership with the Southern Africa Trust (SAT), has launched a groundbreaking gender-centred initiative aimed at promoting feminist climate action in Zimbabwe and the Southern African region.

Titled Enhancing Feminist Agency and Building Transformative Regional Solidarity Alliances against Exploitative Extraction, the project responds to the urgent need for climate justice and gender equality in lithium-rich communities in Zimbabwe.

Extractive industries in Zimbabwe have long been linked to environmental degradation, carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, and social inequalities. With lithium playing a critical role in the global shift towards renewable energy, the initiative highlights the importance of ensuring this transition is inclusive and gender just.

EJWP project officer Tanyaradzwa Jura explained that the initiative seeks to amplify feminist voices at the local level, connecting them to national, regional, and global advocacy platforms.

"The project aims to build a feminist voice and agency at local levels that feed into broader advocacy on just energy transition and climate justice," Jura said. "It ensures those most affected lead conversations affecting their contexts, decentralising advocacy actions."

Jura underscored the impacts of Zimbabwe's extractive sector, pointing out that women—especially young women—have been largely excluded from decision-making and benefits. Lithium mining areas such as Bikita, Buhera, Goromonzi, and Mberengwa face significant ecological and socio-economic challenges that demand focused gender advocacy.

"There is limited gender-focused advocacy in regional extractive discourse," she noted. "Amplifying women's voices is crucial for strengthening eco-feminist movements within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and building solidarity through shared learning and advocacy."

The initiative will also use feminist participatory action research methods, led by mining-affected communities, to generate evidence that informs policy reforms and regional strategies.

"We want to empower young women as leaders in climate and extractive justice, document and amplify community stories and experiences, and promote policy reforms that reflect community realities," Jura said. "Building strong feminist regional alliances is key for lasting impact."

The project signals a vital step towards equitable, sustainable, and inclusive climate action, ensuring that Zimbabwe's energy transition respects both ecological balance and gender justice.