Female artisanal miners report sexual violence in Kono district

Women working in the diamond-rich district of Kono in Sierra Leone are reporting frequent incidents of rape and sexual harassment at artisanal mining sites. Janet, a 32-year-old miner, stated she was raped at age 15 while scavenging for gold and diamonds in Jaiama Nimikor, a site located eight miles from Koidu. She reported the incident to the village head at the time, but the perpetrator remained unidentified.

Another miner, 48-year-old Haja, said she was raped by a man in her village while working in the mines to support her three children. Haja reported the assault to the camp master, who dismissed her claim by suggesting the attacker was her boyfriend. The social stigma and lack of official response forced Haja to temporarily flee her community to the village of Guitor, leaving her children behind.

These women turned to mining as a primary source of income following the end of the civil war. Many miners in the region are former students who dropped out of school due to poverty. While Haja eventually returned to her village after her attacker left the area, she continues to face the long-term consequences of the assault.

Why it mattersThe report details the experiences of two women, Janet and Haja, who were raped while working as artisanal miners in Kono district.

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