Negotiating freedom? Interpreting women’s debt bondage in South Kivu artisanal gold mines

This paper situates women’s work in the wider context of debates on debt slavery and gendered forms of labour bondage

From:
Department for International Development
Published
20 March 2019
Country:
Congo (Democratic Republic)
Document Type:
Working Paper
Theme:
Economic Growth, Social Change
Authors:
Bashwira, M.R., Hintjens, H

Abstract

This working paper situates women’s work in artisanal gold mining in South Kivu, DRC, in the wider context of debates on debt slavery and gendered forms of labour bondage. The study asks: What are the sources and mechanisms of debt bondage for women working in gold mining in eastern DRC? The findings are based on detailed field interviews and on focus group discussions, conducted with dozens of women miners, some men miners, NGO staff and other experts in the field. These discussions and interviews took place in two locations in South Kivu – Kamituga and Luhwindja.

This research is part of the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium (SLRC) programme

Citation

Bashwira, M-R. Hintjens, H. (2019) Negotiating freedom? Interpreting women’s debt bondage in South Kivu artisanal gold mines. Working paper. London: Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium.

Negotiating freedom? Interpreting women’s debt bondage in South Kivu artisanal gold mines

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Published 20 March 2019
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