Effect of Small - Scale Quarry Mining On Well Being of Female Quarry Workers

Abstract This study looked at the participation of women in quarry mine pits of Ebonyi state and their well-being , covering the three senatorial zones of Ebonyi north, Ebonyi central and south. In these zones, six (6) local government areas were covered. The involvement of these women at the quarry mine pits were investigated through a number of issues which include the factors that lead them to participate in the stone mine pits whether on grounds of poverty, lack of education, nearness of the mine sites etc. The study equally covered the type(s) of work these women perform at the quarry mines, with the cited options of digging, clearing, blasting, loading, breaking and packaging. This work also covered the general working conditions of these women looking at such issues as health hazards, the unsafe nature of the mine pit, sexual exploitation of female mine workers, and the involvement of the government agencies in monitoring the activities in these quarry mine pits of Ebonyi state. The sample size was made up of 1255 ( 384 males and 871 females ) from the three senatorial zones. Data were collected mainly through questionnaire, and complimented with in-depth interviews of some of the respondents on some of the issues raised to reduce cases of over generalization. The data showed that most of the hypothesized relationships, were strong and significant with the exception of sexual exploitation that was avoided by majority of the respondents. These women quarry miners are involved in quarry mining because of their low socio-economic status, and they are mostly involved in loading, packaging, digging and minimally involved in blasting, breaking etc. The study revealed that women’s welfare is not addressed either by any union; the mine operators or the government. Based on this finding, it was concluded that the quarry mine pit is not a suitable place for women to work in , considering the health hazards and unsafe nature of the place.