Sibanye-Stillwater symposium highlights men’s role in combating GBV in mining spaces

The South African Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Phumzile Mgcina, has called for stronger accountability and decisive action against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), emphasising that policies alone cannot protect survivors without effective implementation.

Delivering a keynote address at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Building Positive Masculinity symposium in Rustenburg, North West, Mgcina highlighted the critical role men must play in challenging harmful behaviours and driving meaningful change.

She warned against treating workplace policies as sufficient protection for survivors, stressing that their effectiveness depends on whether organisations implement them and respond appropriately when allegations arise.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that policies are implemented, reporting mechanisms are trusted, allegations are acted upon and perpetrators are held accountable,” she said.

Mgcina added that survivors should not be left to bear the burden of violence alone, emphasising the need for institutional support and a workplace culture that encourages reporting and protects those who come forward.

The issue is important in the mining industry, where women continue to navigate male-dominated working environments. Ensuring their safety and dignity requires more than awareness campaigns; it demands sustained action from employers, management and employees.

“The safety and dignity of women in mining cannot be left to chance. They must be protected through clear policies, effective reporting systems, accountable leadership and decisive action against gender-based violence and sexual harassment,” Mgcina said.

The Deputy Minister’s message aligns with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources’ existing guidance on managing GBVF and addressing safety and security challenges affecting women in the South African mining industry.

The department’s guidance note, published in August 2024, provides a framework for the sector to strengthen its response. It includes implementation planning, management accountability, prevention initiatives and monitoring measures intended to support action against GBVF.