Paper short abstract:

This paper offers a comprehensive review of the burgeoning literature on African women and artisanal and small-scale mining. It positions women’s increasing involvement in ASM activities in varied forms, roles and geographic contexts as well as discusses the future of women’s position in the sector.

Paper long abstract:

This paper offers a comprehensive review of the burgeoning literature on African women and the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. It positions women’s increasing involvement in ASM activities in varied forms, roles and geographic contexts as well as discusses the future of women’s position in the sector. Through an interdisciplinary lens, the paper maps out the major thematic areas where research on African women and the ASM sector has been done and highlights research gaps that needs crucial academic and policy considerations. The paper builds on Lahiri-Dutt’s (2022) review on women and the extractive sector in general and Paschal and Kauangal’s (2023) systematic review of women’s position in ASM in sub-Saharan Africa. It illuminates the ‘depth and breadth’ of current ASM scholarship on women and gender issues on the African continent. Finally, the review highlights avenues for future research on women and ASM in Africa including women’s work-life balance, leadership and managerial positions, entrepreneurial opportunities, sustainability practices, ASM-induced involvement in local politics as well as environmental governance and management.