Understanding Health and Informal Sector Gold Mining for Women in Kenya

Join us for an engaging session exploring the intersection of global health, gender equity, and informal labor through the lens of women working in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities in Kenya.

This presentation highlights research focused on the lived experiences of women in the informal mining sector—shedding light on their critical roles, the challenges they face, and the health risks associated with their work, including exposure to hazardous conditions such as mercury.

Participants will gain insight into how gender norms and power dynamics shape women’s economic opportunities, health outcomes, and overall well-being within ASGM communities. The session will also explore how research can inform more equitable policies and practices that address systemic inequalities and elevate the voices of women in marginalized settings.

This is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of global health issues affecting women in informal economies and to consider strategies that promote equity, inclusion, and sustainable change.

Educational Objective

• Increase awareness of health challenges within the informal sector, with a focus on women in artisanal and small-scale gold mining communities.

Our Speaker

Dr. Tara Rava Zolnikov has been actively engaged in research on artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) for nearly 15 years. Her work focuses on the intersection of environmental health, gender equity, and the social and structural challenges faced by mining communities worldwide.

Her research has significantly contributed to understanding the health impacts of small-scale mining, particularly regarding mercury exposure, policy implications, and the lived experiences of women in the sector. Through empirical studies and reflective scholarship, Dr. Zolnikov offers a comprehensive, deeply informed perspective on this important global health issue.

Selected Publications

• Zolnikov, T. R., & Ortiz, D. R. (2018). A systematic review on the management and treatment of mercury in artisanal gold mining. Science of the Total Environment, 633, 816–824.
• Zolnikov, T. R. (2012). Limitations in small artisanal gold mining addressed by educational components paired with alternative mining methods. Science of the Total Environment, 419, 1–6.
•  Zolnikov, T. R. (2020). Effects of the government’s ban in Ghana on women in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. Resources Policy, 65, 101561.
• Hilson, G., Zolnikov, T. R., Ortiz, D. R., & Kumah, C. (2018). Formalizing artisanal gold mining under the Minamata Convention: Previewing the challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental Science & Policy, 85, 123–131.
• Zolnikov, T. R. (2017). My failed attempt to gain access to small-scale gold miners. American Journal of Public Health, 107(4), 507.
• Zolnikov, T. R. (2017). Autoethnographies on the environment and human health. Springer.