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Rosalie Bisimwa - A geologist who advocates for women's empowerment in the mining sector in the DRC

Rosalie Bisimwa is a female geologist who is committed to women's empowerment in the mining sector in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She is the coordinator of the Dynamique des femmes des mines (DYFEM), an organization that works to improve the living and working conditions of women in the mines of the DRC. Bisimwa lives in Goma, in the province of North Kivu.


Since 2022, she has participated as an expert in the Tetea Mazingira podcast on natural resource governance. Her organization DYFEM is among the Congolese civil society structures that provide resources on governance in extractive industries, gender and territorial development.


Bisimwa is a passionate advocate for the rights of women in the mining sector. She works to end discrimination and violence against women in the mines. She loves to work hard to improve the lives of women in the mines and she is a role model for young girls in the region.


Challenges for female geologists in extractive industries


Rosalie Bisimwa states that female geologists have difficulty finding jobs in mining companies. In fact, the mining sector is still very male-dominated and women are often discriminated against.


To get by, female geologists turn to organizations for the promotion of women in mines or to the profession of mining cartographer. Organizations for the promotion of women in mines help women develop their skills and find jobs in the mining sector.


The profession of mining cartographer is a profession that is increasingly being practiced by women, she tells us. Cartographers are responsible for creating maps of mines. They use mapping software to create maps that allow miners to find mineral resources.


Violence in mines in the DRC


Rosalie Bisimwa's work is important because it contributes to improving working conditions for women in the mining sector. She fights against discrimination and violence against women in the mines. She encourages women to pursue their dreams and become geologists.


Rosalie Bisimwa has said that violence against women in mining sites in the DRC is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.


According to her, violence against women in mines is a complex problem with many causes, including poverty, inequality and the low level of implementation of protective laws and policies. Women who work in mines are exposed to many types of violence, including rape, physical abuse and threats.


She indicates that violence against women in mines can have devastating consequences on women's lives, including physical and mental health, financial difficulties and job loss. It is important to take action to combat violence against women in mines, including raising awareness of the problems, strengthening protective laws and policies, and providing support services to women who are victims of violence.


Ways to solve mines without violence against women


Here are some of the things that governments and businesses can do to combat violence against women in mines:


  • Establish laws and policies that protect women from violence and discrimination

  • Train police officers and other law enforcement officials on violence against women and how to prevent and punish it

  • Provide support services to women who are victims of violence, including shelter, medical care and legal assistance

  • Raise awareness among women and men of violence against women and how to prevent it

  • Promote gender equality and women's empowerment


By taking these steps, we can help create a safer and more inclusive environment for women in mines, she hopes.


Rosalie Bisimwa's work makes a real difference in the lives of women miners in the DRC. She is an inspiration to women in the region and she is helping to improve their lives.


This year 2023, Rosalie Bisimwa is participating in the Summer University on Extractive Industries Governance in Francophone Africa, which is being held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Through this session, she will strengthen her knowledge in the analysis of mining contracts, the reports of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the use of online resources on the mining, gas, forestry and oil sectors.




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