The Right to Say No!
As we were celebrating International Women’s Day on 9 March 2023, we also addressed how the destruction of the environment by mining activities is affecting women as they carry the most externalized costs of mega extractives and infrastructure projects. Young Entrepreneurs Trust Zimbabwe (YETZ) gave an overview of the environmental situation in Marange and taught the community members about how they have the ‘Right to Say-NO’ which challenge power and those who hold and use power destructively on the environment. The community members learned that Saying NO is challenging systems of power to define their own interests and their own futures as they are responsible for their futures. Mr Tendai Manyeza elaborated on the Cost-Benefit Analysis of Mining communities where done, during his presentation. It was clarified that although mining contractual agreements are signed only by mining companies and the government on behalf of the community, it is the community that bears much of the risk of unsustainable and irresponsible mining practices. Chief Marange highlighted how as a leader in the community, he doesn’t approve of unsustainable development. He made it known to all that he would gladly say yes to community decision-making and the right to development that supports life.
There were also presentations on the importance of trees as they give increased underground water retention, carbon sequestration, increased food security and as well local economic benefits maintaining forest status and restoring degraded ecosystems , producing food and medicine at local scale by reducing vulnerability to climate change and to biodiversity loss, linking with sustainable development goal 1and 2 no poverty and zero hunger, SDG 11 focusing on sustainable cities and communities, SDG 13 on Climate Action. The event was designed to advocate for community empowerment through reforestation and indigenous tree planting as an awareness tool on environmental impacts of mining. 100 trees were planned on the day
