María Isabel Aillón, President, Women in Mining (WIM) Ecuador

WIM Ecuador's goal is to ensure future generations see the participation of women in mining as something natural and that women feel motivated to train in mining and participate in its different areas.

• Interview

How is the establishment of WIM Ecuador related to the development of the mining industry?

Ecuador’s mining sector is developing fast. We are at an interesting point in time in Ecuador, with mining becoming popular as an engine of economic development. At present, 10% of the people working in the mining sector are women. These women have administrative, technical, and operational profiles, and they perform relevant functions in the local industry. Women’s participation in the mining sector has been growing hand in hand with the growth of the industry. In the coming years, we will see an expansion of mining-related activities and as a result, the number of available jobs will also increase significantly. Therefore, it is necessary to create inclusion strategies that promote and maintain women’s participation in the sector. WIM Ecuador was born as an initiative to generate and support strategies that promote this. Membership is open to both men and women interested in supporting the project.

What is your assessment of the involvement of women in Ecuador’s mining sector as compared to other countries?

Although mining has always been a male-dominated industry, over the last 10 years, women have managed to perform the same job functions as men in many countries. In South Africa, for example, it was unthinkable and even illegal for women to enter underground mines. Compared to other local industries, the percentage of women's participation in mining can be seen as insignificant; however, the percentage of woman participating in Ecuador’s mining sector is quite similar to other countries in the region such as Chile and Peru. Ecuador is a country where women have begun to get involved and gain prominence for their ability. This trend continues to grow and every day we see more women interested in joining the mining industry.

What are WIM Ecuador’s objectives?

WIM Ecuador offers a solid network that helps people make professional and personal contacts. We have plans to open training spaces on issues related to industry, empowerment, and leadership. We are interested in progressing our goals and women's aspirations. Our primary objectives are to raise awareness about the relevance of women's participation in the mining sector; work with the industry to develop initiatives to attract, retain, and strengthen women's capacities; promote gender equality, diversity, and inclusion; and collaborate with other similar groups to share experiences, knowledge, and best practices.

How can you encourage more young women to choose technical careers?

The best strategy to break down barriers is to encourage companies to provide opportunities for women, hire them for their ability, and allow them to work together with men. Stereotypes that undermine women’s capabilities should be set aside in order to provoke in women the interest of participating in a promising industry that represents an opportunity to have quality employment, generate income, and contribute to the production, innovation, and sustainable development of the country. PricewaterhouseCoopers, in collaboration with WIM UK, published the study Mining for talent 2014. In this research, it was concluded that mining occupies the last place among global industries when it comes to women in leadership positions. Our goal is to ensure that future generations see the participation of women in mining as something natural and that women feel motivated to train in mining and participate in its different areas. ✖

María Isabel Aillón PRESIDENT, WOMEN IN MINING (WIM) ECUADOR