Anglo American moves decisively to combat GBV at its mines

Anglo American has introduced wide-ranging measures to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and harassment across its mines and mining communities in South Africa.

The company’s ‘Living with Dignity’ programme was launched a year ago when it committed to a series of integrated interventions in South Africa to eliminate harassment and gender-based violence at work, and prevent violence against women in children in homes, schools and mining communities.

The company has since completed a review and update of its policies and procedures relating to GBV and sexual harassment across its business units in South Africa.

This aligns with ILO Convention 190, which represents one of the most progressive approaches to addressing workplace violence and harassment in the mining industry.

The revised policy will be supported by an independent, victim-centric, GBV support function – the first of its kind in the industry – with expert capability in investigation, counselling, and advice.

Speaking ahead of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign, which kicked off on November 25, Anglo American’s Hermien Botes said there is still a lot of work to do, but business units have made good progress.

“We’ve extended our efforts to combat GBV and harassment beyond the mine gate because we believe we can only sustain meaningful change inside the business by tackling the root causes in homes, schools and communities. Mining has played a big part in shaping mining towns and host communities, and we have a responsibility to use our influence and resources to be part of a positive change in those communities,” said Botes.

As a result of the review, Anglo Platinum has revised its sexual harassment investigation process to be more efficient and victim-centric and revised its employee assistance programme to enhance its support to both survivors and perpetrators of GBV.

The business is scaling up its mental first-aider training to ensure there is adequate support on every shift.

A buddy system, in which no woman will ever work without another woman, is being strictly enforced.

Physical measures implemented at the company’s mines include upgrading female change houses, building fit-for-purpose lactation rooms at most mines, and implementing a range of safety and security measures.

Coal South Africa now includes a module on GBV and harassment in its new employee and site inductions, and has ramped up bullying, harassment and victimisation training, improved female change houses, and is making progress on female appointments in senior roles.

In line with the company’s Bullying, Harassment and Victimisation (BHV) Policy, annual training is mandatory for all Anglo American employees.

Through its soon-to-be-launched Global Policy on Domestic Violence, awareness and practical survivor support will be key in providing a psychologically safe, physically healthy and productive work environment for all employees, contractors and suppliers.

According to Botes, Anglo American’s existing Living with Dignity community plans to combat GBV in communities were ‘dramatically’ adjusted as the pandemic took hold this year.

“It became clear in the early stages of the pandemic that economic distress, diverted public services, lock-down measures and many other factors were increasing incidents of domestic violence. We worked to fight the ‘shadow pandemic’ alongside the health and economic impacts of Covid-19,” said Botes.

These interventions included a mass communications campaign telling people how and where to get help; leveraging Anglo American’s partnership with the University of Pretoria on community-orientated primary care (COPC) to identify and refer cases of domestic violence; and working with the National Shelter Movement (and De Beers with UN Women) to support 22 shelters in its mining areas with donations of food, PPE and financial aid for basics like data and transportation.

De Beers and Platinum’s work with shelters has progressed beyond the initial support that was envisaged.

The businesses are also supporting infrastructure improvements and working with NGO partners to build capacity at shelters.

Botes believes there is much that individuals can do to help the fight against gender-based violence: “As parents, we can break the cycle by eliminating violence in our own homes; by teaching our children about peaceful conflict resolution and gender equality; and allowing our boys to express healthy emotions. As family members, community members and colleagues, we must not accept any form of sexism or abuse, and never keep silent,” she said.