Assessment Of Gender Roles On Land Pollution In Artisanal And Small-Scale Mining (Asm) In Buhemba Gold Mine, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the impact of gender roles on land pollution in Artisanal and Small Scale Mining at Buhemba in Butiama district, Mara region. Specifically, the study assessed the miner’s knowledge, attitude and practices on land pollution, explored gender roles basing on female and male roles in ASM. Also the study assessed the contribution of gender roles on land pollution as a result of ASM activities in Buhemba small scale gold mine area. Different data collection methods were employed including observation, household survey, interview, focus group discussion and the review literatures. Data were processed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20, whereas data analysis was done using Pearson correlation, Chi-square and content analysis. At 95% CI, it was found that, there was significant ( 2 (120) = 6.678, p = 0.035) variation of knowledge towards ASM between men and women while attitude and practices (x2 (120) =1.11426, p= 0.799, 2 (120) = 0.65, p = 0.573) respectively showed no significant variation between men and women. Male were more likely to participate in digging activities compared to female (β = 2.416, SE = 1.177, df = 119, P = 0.004) while female were more likely to participate in the food vending business (β = - 3.056, SE = 0.953, df = 119, P = 0.001) compared male. It was revealed that female through food vending business (26.7%) were perceived to contribute more to land pollution compared to other female ASM activities while male through digging (16.7%) were perceived to contribute more to land pollution compared to other male ASM activities. The study is viable in addressing equity issues basing on gender in managing and conserving the land in mining areas.