19 Keeping gender diversity on the table through the COVID-19 crisis The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated gender inequalities in the extractive sector. Women have been more vulnerable to violence and loss of livelihoods, increasing the urgent need for gender equality. To this end, the crisis has fostered dialogue around strengthening women’s participation in extractive management and promoting equal employment opportunities. Over the past year, EITI countries have taken steps to advance gender equality in the sector. Civil society organisations are advocating for more diverse representation in multi-stakeholder groups, from the Dominican Republic to Zambia. Many countries have for the first time disclosed gender-disaggregated employment figures, providing baseline data on socio-economic inequalities in the sector. To make further progress in this area, the EITI is collaborating with key partners such as Oxfam, Publish What You Pay, Transparency International and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development, who are issuing guidance on documenting the impact of extractive activities on women and promoting women’s participation in the sector. eiti.org/gender-extractive-sector-governance Colombia In August 2020, EITI-Colombia led a multi-stakeholder forum on gender equality in the extractive sector. The discussion built on policy guidelines developed by the Ministry of Energy in March 2020. These identify four main areas for action: increasing employment opportunities, promoting a culture of equality in the industry, strengthening inter-agency collaboration and tackling gender-based violence in the mining communities. Since then, EITI-Colombia also conducted a series of virtual events to engage government, industry and civil society actors on the importance of inclusive reporting and sector management. Some companies are paving the way for more detailed reporting on gender. In its latest sustainability report, Ecopetrol, Colombia’s largest petroleum company included employment information broken down by gender, position and average salaries. PHILIPPINES EITI disclosures have shown that only 12% of the mining workforce in the Philippines is female, and few women occupy leadership positions. Recognising the prevalence of structural gender inequality in the extractive sector, Philippines EITI conducted a study on the social, economic and environmental impacts of large-scale mining on women, as well as barriers they face to participate in the sector. Published in October 2020, the study presents several recommendations for addressing key issues and policy gaps, including amendments to the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 to incorporate gender-sensitive provisions. The findings corroborate earlier research and can further help to shape data-driven polices that support a more inclusive sector. Integrating gender in EITI reporting and implementation has remained a priority for the Philippines EITI, which has been disclosing gender-disaggregated employment data since 2016. Supporting a more* inclusive sector* 0 2 4 6 8 0 1 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 12% of the mining workforce in the Philippines is female. 12% of the mining workforce in the Philippines is female.