Over 50% of young women in Uganda’s mining sites – the study of the University of Makere

A study by the Studies Department of Studies of the University of Makerere revealed that over 50 percent of young women working on mining sites have contracted at least one sexual transmitted infection (STE) in the last year.

The research, led by Prof. Betty Kwagala, recruited 810 participants from the gold districts in Kassanda, Mubende, Busia and Namayingo.

The study aimed to evaluate the economic and health well-being of the latest populations in the small and scale mining settlements (ASM), analyzing their living conditions before and after the Covid-19 Pandemic.

In addition to examining the sexual and reproductive health of the participants, the researchers also evaluated the effects related to professional health. It has been found that several women suffer from complications related to mercury exposure.

The results indicate that the pandemic has worsened the vulnerability of young women, pushing many in risky behaviors. At least 28% of the participants acknowledged that they had more than one sexual partner in the previous year.

Dr. Stephen Ojambo Wandera, a lecturer at the population department at Makerere University, highlighted the high sexual operating rates in mining areas. He mentioned that girls trafficked in me are facing significant risks of adolescent pregnancies and HIV infection. Despite the existing statutes intended to protect them, there is a small awareness and the application of these regulations.

Wandera has asked for stricter ordinances to prevent children from accessing me and protecting female artisan miners from sexual exploitation.

It is estimated that the ASM sector in Uganda employs around 40,000 women, but researchers believe that this number could be greater due to the fluid nature of handmade mining, where individuals move and leave me according to the available opportunities.

Responding to conclusions, Fred Ngabirano, Commissioner for Business for Children and Young people at the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development, acknowledged that exploitation in me was a long -term problem. He stressed that a change of mentality is required to solve the problem completely.

As part of the study, the researchers trained the participants in the basic business management and offered them capital to invest. This initiative aimed to evaluate whether economic ability could help to mitigate some of the challenges that young women in mining communities face.

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