Women’s perceived working conditions in the mining industry: A qualitative study

Background: Women’s status in society has been contested over the years, with arguments centred on the deliberate marginalisation of women by ancient policies and legislations, which compelled women to assume secondary status in society. Aim: This study aimed at exploring and describing the percept...

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Main Authors: Masesi M. Mahlasela, Mankuku M. Madumo, Moreoagae B. Randa
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2023-12-01
Series:Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2212
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author Masesi M. Mahlasela
Mankuku M. Madumo
Moreoagae B. Randa
author_facet Masesi M. Mahlasela
Mankuku M. Madumo
Moreoagae B. Randa
author_sort Masesi M. Mahlasela
collection DOAJ
description Background: Women’s status in society has been contested over the years, with arguments centred on the deliberate marginalisation of women by ancient policies and legislations, which compelled women to assume secondary status in society. Aim: This study aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of women on working conditions in the mining industry. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was followed. Setting: The study was conducted at a mining industry based in Mpumalanga Province. Methods: Ten women were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Tech’s method of qualitative analysis. Results: Three themes and categories emerged from data analysis. The themes that emerged were: Benefits for women in the mining industry, work conditions-related challenges for women in the mining industry and opportunities for growth and development of women in the mining industry. Conclusion: Despite the employment of women in the mining industry, the women echoed that mining remains a male-dominated place of employment. Contribution: The study revealed that although the mining industry is still a male-dominated environment, women are generally content to be working at the mines. A lot of transformation should take place to make mining a women-friendly place of employment. The relevance of this study for mental health is that gender equality is a risk factor for gender-based violence. Furthermore, facing discrimination can also result in anxiety and psychological trauma that can negatively affect a woman’s sense of well-being and success.
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spelling doaj.art-703da99cb2a143b3b39af49343ff98a82024-01-10T13:27:35ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362023-12-01280e1e810.4102/hsag.v28i0.22121067Women’s perceived working conditions in the mining industry: A qualitative studyMasesi M. Mahlasela0Mankuku M. Madumo1Moreoagae B. Randa2Department of Nursing Science, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaDepartment of Nursing Science, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaDepartment of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaBackground: Women’s status in society has been contested over the years, with arguments centred on the deliberate marginalisation of women by ancient policies and legislations, which compelled women to assume secondary status in society. Aim: This study aimed at exploring and describing the perceptions of women on working conditions in the mining industry. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was followed. Setting: The study was conducted at a mining industry based in Mpumalanga Province. Methods: Ten women were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Data were analysed using Tech’s method of qualitative analysis. Results: Three themes and categories emerged from data analysis. The themes that emerged were: Benefits for women in the mining industry, work conditions-related challenges for women in the mining industry and opportunities for growth and development of women in the mining industry. Conclusion: Despite the employment of women in the mining industry, the women echoed that mining remains a male-dominated place of employment. Contribution: The study revealed that although the mining industry is still a male-dominated environment, women are generally content to be working at the mines. A lot of transformation should take place to make mining a women-friendly place of employment. The relevance of this study for mental health is that gender equality is a risk factor for gender-based violence. Furthermore, facing discrimination can also result in anxiety and psychological trauma that can negatively affect a woman’s sense of well-being and success.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2212industryminingperceptionswomenworkplaceworking conditions
spellingShingle Masesi M. Mahlasela
Mankuku M. Madumo
Moreoagae B. Randa
Women’s perceived working conditions in the mining industry: A qualitative study
Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
industry
mining
perceptions
women
workplace
working conditions
title Women’s perceived working conditions in the mining industry: A qualitative study
title_full Women’s perceived working conditions in the mining industry: A qualitative study
title_fullStr Women’s perceived working conditions in the mining industry: A qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Women’s perceived working conditions in the mining industry: A qualitative study
title_short Women’s perceived working conditions in the mining industry: A qualitative study
title_sort women s perceived working conditions in the mining industry a qualitative study
topic industry
mining
perceptions
women
workplace
working conditions
url https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2212
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AT moreoagaebranda womensperceivedworkingconditionsintheminingindustryaqualitativestudy