The adverse economic shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the enormous progress that Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) communities have undertaken to formalize the sector.
The , a network promoting the leadership, inclusion, and sustainable empowerment of women in extractive industries, through its AWIMA Jewellery Project, aims to mitigate the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic upon women, particularly those in ASM communities, while simultaneously celebrating their resilience.
Building on the increasing global demand for ethical products, the project launched the to provide a one-of-a-kind platform for celebrating the resilience of African women in mining while using innovative ideas to partner with African women designers and jewelers.
To unearth the vast female design talent on the African continent and its diaspora, in January 2021, the competition invited African female designers to submit a brooch inspired by the theme; “A Symbol of solidarity that unifies and honors Women in mining in Africa”.