"Successful Woman" NGO Presented Research on Four-tier Impact of Mining on Women's Life Quality

"Successful Woman" NGO represents the impact of mining on women's lives in the health, economic, environmental and social spheres.

The research has revealed series of important problems.

In the health sector, in the most at-risk zone according to residents and key informants, are women's reproductive health exposed to chronic diseases and carcinogenic diseases. In the economic sphere, despite the created jobs, women are mainly involved in low-paid, supporting positions. Deterioration of the environment, the decrease in water, soil and air quality directly affects the livelihood of women. The limited participation of women in decision-making processes is also worrying.

"The research shows that for the sustainable development of the mining industry, it is necessary to adopt a gender-sensitive policy, ensuring equal opportunities, protection of rights and interests of women. After all, how much shall women silently suffer in the core of the mining?" Hripsime Kocharyan, President of "Successful Woman" NGO noted.

"The field of mining is male-dominated and women have more limited opportunities to develop in such communities. Women and children are considered the most vulnerable groups in mining-affected communities. The entire care for the child vests on women's shoulders, whereas children's organisms are sensitive and readily react to all impacts," Inga Zarafyan, President of "EcoLur" Informational NGO outlined.