Exxaro Resources Ltd

Mxolisi Mgojo (M)

Chief Executive Officer

Exxaro’s commitment to women empowerment is also evidenced in our policies which are aligned to national and international development frameworks, such as the SA Mining Charter, the National Development Plan and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Exxaro is signing up to the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP), which offer guidance on how we can further empower women in our workplace and in our communities. With over 22% of women in the mining workforce in South Africa, we are taking great strides to ensure that more women are employed in this previously male dominated industry. Despite these gains, there are many more challenges that persist. Targeting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment is not only important from the perspective of realising women’s rights but is also beneficial for sustainable social and economic development. Research by the UN’s Industrial Development Organisation shows that economies grow faster when gender equality is advanced; less people remain in poverty, and overall societal well-being increases. For the effective and sustainable economic growth of any country, the equal participation of women is crucial. It is a well-established fact that the achievement of economic growth is dependent on the full use of the skills and qualification of women. Women's empowerment is therefore a critical aspect of achieving gender equality. It includes increasing a woman's sense of self-worth, her decision-making power, her access to opportunities and resources, her power and control over her own life inside and outside the home, and her ability to effect change.