The Right to Freedom from Violence

GRAN's Mining Justice campaign is undertaken in support of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa experiencing human rights abuses in mining communities.   

Widespread well-documented human rights abuses have been associated with the activities of many Canadian mining companies abroad. These companies must be held accountable for their actions in the communities in which they operate.

Not surprisingly, women are disproportionately affected by human rights abuses in mining communities, including:

From 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day, the United Nations UNiTE Campaign: 16 Day of Activism to End Gender-based Violence is a time to galvanize action to end violence against women and girls everywhere. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange has been chosen by the United Nations as the colour to represent the Campaign’s goal of a future free from violence.

Child, Early and Forced Marriage (CEFM) is a human rights violation which has devastating consequences for women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa and around the world.  It perpetuates the gender inequality that grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere experience throughout their lives.  It increases the spread of HIV/AIDS and creates barriers to education, economic security, healthcare and safety – challenges identified by African grandmothers for themselves and their grandchildren.