An investigation carried out by Reuters details how women in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, displaced by escalating rebel violence, are turning to informal mining to feed their families. Widows like Maman Soki, a Congolese artisanal miner, haul 30 kg sacks of ore after fleeing attacks, yet remain excluded from actual digging work and formal employment. This forces them into the most grueling and least protected tasks, deepening economic inequality and exposing them to significant physical risks.
Compiled From: Gradel Muyisa, Jessica Donati, and Alexandra Hudson, “Congolese Women Turn to Mining for Survival After Rebel Attacks,” Reuters, Sept. 4, 2025.