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Promoting Gender Parity and Changing Attitudes

Euridice González - Mujeres WIM México
Mexico Country Manager of McEwen Mining and President

STORY INLINE POST

Sat, 10/28/2017 - 16:30

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Q: Why was it necessary to adopt the WIM program in Mexico and what are the main issues the organization deals with?

A: The organization promotes gender parity within the mining industry by promoting the participation and the quality of working life of women in Mexico. This organization was created as a result of an invitation from WIM International and developed with the support of professional women that were committed to mining in Mexico. We are the only organization in the country supported by the Women in Mining International organization through its President Barbara Dischingler and the Latin American Director Gladys Smith. This gives us great pride and generates a greater commitment and enthusiasm to promote the efforts of our colleagues in the industry and strengthen an organization worthy of the mining women of Mexico.

Q: What are the benefits of gender diversity in mining and how can companies achieve greater balance?

A: It is important to recognize the ability of the female gender in daily life. The high level of responsibility women undertake and their execution capacity contribute to efficient processes and resources and therefore better results. Mujeres WIM México also seeks to act as a bridge for communication between Mexican companies and women. We are integrating a job board that companies can consult to find candidates for their vacancies. Our goal is to encourage greater opportunities for women, according to nonquota capacities, and encourage more women to apply for this industry when there is a vacancy. That way we will continue to advance.

Q: What kind of progress have you seen in recent years in terms of the number of women in mining and their positions?

A: Although it has moved at a slow pace, there has been greater participation of women in recent years in both mining operations and administrative areas. In Mexico, in the last federal government administration, the General Coordinator of Mining - the highest authority in the field of mining regulation at the time - was María Jimena Valverde, a historical fact that, as women, fills us with pride. Meanwhile, in mining operations, more and more women are filling administrative, technical and operational positions and becoming geologists, mining engineers, machine operators, topographers, planners, metallurgists, biologists, ecologists, lawyers, administrators and accountants, among a host of other professions.

Q: What is your opinion of the attitudes in mining toward women and what needs to improve?

A: The mining community is increasingly open to the concept of an inclusive mining sector; few people still resist the concept of inclusion. An example of this maturity is the support we have received from Mexico’s various mining associations, notably AIMMGM and the Mexican Mining Chamber (CAMIMEX). We have received a great deal of attention and demonstrations of support from the main mining players in the country and for that we are very grateful. Having said that, we now need to work on improving the percentage of female participation in mining positions, since we represent only 10 percent of the industry.

Q: To what extent do you work with universities to promote training of women for mining roles?

A: Although we are in the early stages, we have already begun communicating with students and universities. Currently, in conjunction with AIMMGM, we have formed close ties with UNAM’s Faculty of Mining and Metallurgy, with which we are in talks to promote good gender equality and inclusion practices. We hope to complete this project in 2017 and we have many others in the pipeline. We work directly with students associated with Mujeres WIM México, who have shown great enthusiasm and initiatives because, as students, the culture of inclusion, equity and respect is reinforced.

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