Pact

As today marks the end of Women's History Month in the U.S., we're shining a light on women and their many contributions to Rwanda's #mining sector.✨ From directly mining to support roles at mine sites and along the entire value chain, women play important roles in mining, but their work isn't always recognized. Since 2021, Pact has been working with local women-led NGO Rwanda Women In/And Mining Organization (WIAMO) and the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board to better understand the barriers to women's participation in mining and implement activities to overcome the challenges. Read our latest blog to learn: ➡️The challenges our research unearthed. ➡️How we've overcome barriers with two partner mining companies. ➡️What more can be done to advance women’s participation in mining in #Rwanda. https://bit.ly/4janO07

We were thrilled to join LVMH Maison REPOSSI for this insightful panel discussion on women's empowerment and responsible sourcing in the luxury industry. As we celebrate Women's History Month, we celebrate women artisanal miners, their ingenuity, and their resilience, as well as partners like Repossi who are committed to advancing sustainable practices and driving social change. #WomensHistoryMonth #Empowerment #Sustainability #EthicalSourcing #ASM #Repossi #LVMH Lisa Chase

🤝 The NGO pillar of the Voluntary Principles Initiative met last week - in the same London building where the 1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention was held - to strategize for the year ahead and engage productively with companies and governments. 🎉 Thank you to Joel Bisina PhD of Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa) for you chairpersonship this past year, and to NGO Pillar Steering Committee for voting Pact and I for NGO Pillar Chair 2025-2026. It is an honor to represent and learn from such a prestigious group of NGOs, expert members, and human rights defenders. 🗣️ Congratulations also to Dr Fred Nwogu of New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) and John Nimly Brownell of Green Advocates International for continued NGO Steering Committee leadership. And a special thank you to Mike Jobbins of Search for Common Ground for the collegiality, dedication, and expert support to the VPs and NGO pillar. 🔋🛢️ ⛏️ 🏘️ 👥 As the race for minerals and metals accelerates for the green transition, oil and gas prices fluctuate, and decarbonization technologies grow, risks to human rights, communities, and Indigenous Peoples are greater than ever. Land access, ownership, human rights and local resource benefits remain the same key challenges. Now more than ever, the Voluntary Principles are essential. #HumanRights #SustainableMining #GreenTransition #OilandGas #Communities 😎 Great to be in person, thank you for the discussions and looking forward to continuing to work together: Veronica Stratford-Tuke Yann Lebrat Maria Mekri Ruth Rhoads Allen Christopher Nyarko Honest Munachiso Ofor Cândida Silva Prof. Adriano Nuvunga & more I am unable to tag in our photo below. 🌍 Want to learn more about the VPs? Interested in becoming a member of the NGO pillar? Reach out to us!

“Pact has helped us understand about the important roles of #women in mining and not to use #violence or #marginalize women and #children in any forms of mining” - Secretary-General of the Rosent Gold Miners and Traders Association (RMTA). Very proud of the collective #genderequality, #development and institution-building impacts our project with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in #SierraLeone led by our local staff and partners continues to make, as summarized in our latest Bulletin: https://lnkd.in/e4Wkpw-2 Joseph Smith Aisha Fofana Ibrahim Abdul Barrie Daniel Stapper Cristina Maria Villegas Dr. James McQuilken Pact

Myanmar women work incredibly hard — but often have fewer professional opportunities compared to men.   The reasons are complex. Safety concerns, mobility restrictions, and widespread job losses in key sectors disproportionately affect women.   This #InternationalWomensDay, we celebrate the strength and resilience of women working in enterprises we’ve supported.   By helping businesses cut costs and retain staff, women can have the stability and opportunities they deserve.   The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Kitty Bu, Woochong Um, Vaishali (Vish) Mishra, Pact, Amarnath Reddy

By introducing quality rechargeable head torches, financing models, and solar power, our Illuminating Small-scale Mining in Rwanda project aims to ensure more resilient, sustainable, and responsible mining communities and promote the green energy transition. With our partners Rwanda Mining Board, Mesh Power, Schneider Electric, Equity Bank, and Rwanda Women In/And Mining Organization (WIAMO), we are working to power sustainable, community-led, market system-wide change in the mining, lighting, and energy industries. So far, we have.... ⛏️ Trained 800 miners and community members in renewal energy, lighting, safety, environment, and gender equality. This training included all women miners at ISMR’s two partner miners. The training promotes awareness and uptake of rechargeable headtorches and responsible mining practices and is accompanied by a tailored handbook to take home. 💰 Trained 200 miners in financial literacy. Led by Equity Bank, this training has enabled miners to open bank accounts, save money, and purchase head torches and other safety equipment, addressing wider financial barriers to responsible mining practices. ☀️ Installed solar mini grid at one partner mine with 70% electricity cost saving. This intervention demonstrates the cost and use effectiveness of solar energy in small-scale mining to recharge headtorches and power overhead lighting, mining and mineral processing equipment, and other productive uses for safer and more sustainable mining.  Dig deeper into the ISMR project and its impact: https://bit.ly/3F5QNTV. #responsiblemining #pactpromise #ismr #solarenergy

“One is the loneliest number." And we couldn’t agree more — partnerships make power ⚡️ For example, RBF Plus is skilled in finding and financially assisting businesses that seek to strengthen Myanmar’s agri-value chain through solar. And we’re experts in helping businesses receive gap financing for solar while ensuring the systems are built to international standards. (Last year, SPM achieved a cumulative total of 5MW!) By joining forces, SPM and RBF are empowering businesses far faster and more effectively than alone. Stronger together 💪 Amarnath Reddy, The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Kitty Bu, Woochong Um, Vaishali (Vish) Mishra, Pact

#AccelerateAction: Over the past three days, AWEIK, in collaboration with Taita Taveta County Government, Oxfam, Pact and GEMFUND.org hosted the Moyo Gems Market Days, connecting women gemstone miners directly with buyers. This initiative has strengthened #marketaccess, promoted #ethicalsourcing, and ensured fair value for women in the gemstone trade- accelerating action towards economic development and empowerment of women! Beyond transactions, the market days foster learning, transparency, and sustainable growth for women in mining. Special appreciation to our partners for walking with us on this #accelerateaction journey! #MoyoGems #WomenInMining #MineToMarket #FairTradeGems #AWEIK Michelle Mwambela Cristina Maria Villegas Monica Stephenson Esther Njunge Julius Mbindyo Nyawira Muchangi

For the first time ever, Myanmar businesses can get paid for generating renewable energy 💰 And we're not talking about selling power back to the grid. Myanmar was recently approved to issue International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) and sell them on the global market, creating a new revenue stream for businesses with solar. This is an incredible step for the renewable energy sector! With endorsement from The International Tracking Standard Foundation: Founder of I-REC, local businesses will have access to vital capital and greater incentives to go green 🌱 See the comments for more info. The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Kitty Bu, Woochong Um, Vaishali (Vish) Mishra, Pact

We are proud to announce that our Illuminating Small-Scale Mining in Rwanda project was selected for the 2025 edie Awards shortlist, in the category, "Social Sustainability Project of the Year. The edie Awards are the UK's largest and longest running sustainable business awards. See the full list of finalists ▶️ https://bit.ly/49wUltS #edieAwards #Rwanda #ASM