Paper short abstract:

This paper uses the term ‘complicated futures’ to explain how women’s concerns in ASM, if not addressed, engender their livelihoods in future. I argue from the sociolegal perspectives to make a case for institutional and legal support for African women in the ASM industry.

Paper long abstract:

Despite the fact that artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) offers diverse livelihood opportunities for women in rural landscapes, it is fraught with cultural, economic and health issues. And its governance and authority practices exclude women from high-valued works or positions in the sector. Moreover, mining materialities marginalise women, and with weak institutional support, the future of women building livelihood in ASM is at risk as women continue to ‘occupy the fringes’ of the ASM hierarchies and organisational structure. The gender dimensions of mining are making it difficult to address economic, social, legal, health and safety issues women encounter. As such, this engenders women’s livelihood and economic status in future. Thus, this paper uses the term ‘complicated futures’ to explain how women’s concerns in ASM, if not addressed, engender their livelihoods in future. I, therefore, argue from the sociolegal perspectives to make a case for institutional and legal support for African women in the ASM industry. Analysing women’s struggles and concerns in the industry from the sociolegal lens offers a different picture to address them and the deep-rooted masculinities and gender norms in mining spaces.