In the Shadows of Gold: How the Resource Curse Fuels Gender-Based Violence in Zimbabwe’s Mining Communities

By Nyasha B. Dube

In the gold-rich hills of every mining community in Zimbabwe, the hum of diesel engines and the clang of metal echo long into the night. On the surface, Zimbabwe’s artisanal mining boom seems like a story of survival, men and women hustling for opportunity in a collapsing economy. But underneath that glitter of gold lies a darker truth: a growing tide of violence tearing through mining communities, leaving scars that no mineral wealth can heal.

What was once seen as a chance for empowerment has become, for many women and families, a curse, the resource curse.

The Resource Curse: When Wealth Breeds Violence

The term "resource curse" often refers to countries whose natural wealth brings conflict rather than prosperity. In Zimbabwe’s mining belts, this curse is not abstract, it’s personal. As new mineral finds attract fortune seekers from across the country, fragile communities are reshaped overnight. Makeshift settlements emerge under harsh conditions, where money flows fast, alcohol is cheap and law enforcement is scarce.

In these volatile spaces, men flush with sudden earnings often turn to substance abuse. With drugs and alcohol comes an increase in aggression, and at home, that aggression too often lands on wives, partners and children. Women find themselves trapped in cycles of physical, emotional and economic violence, punished for simply existing in proximity to men whose sense of power has become distorted by wealth and lawlessness.

When Survival Becomes a Bargaining Chip

The mining ecosystem also breeds exploitation. In gold rush areas, women, especially widows, single mothers and young girls, are drawn into mining camps seeking livelihoods. With limited formal opportunities and economic desperation, they find themselves negotiating survival on unequal terms.

Traders, gold buyers and even local “syndicate bosses” exploit this vulnerability, demanding sexual favors in exchange for gold, food or cash. These coercive transactions are rarely acknowledged as violence, yet they are rooted in power and desperation. A woman’s consent is compromised when hunger or poverty leaves her without a real choice.

When these same women are assaulted or exploited, justice is distant. Reporting mechanisms in mining regions are weak, transport is costly and stigma silences many before they ever reach the police.

The Rise of Man-to-Man Violence And Its Ripple Effect

In these unregulated mining zones, violence does not stop at gender lines. Territorial disputes, competition over mining claims and control of gold fields have led to brutal man-to-man confrontations, often fatal. Knives, machetes and homemade weapons have turned many mining camps into battlegrounds.

When men fight and kill, another form of violence unfolds quietly against women. Wives become widows overnight. Families lose breadwinners. Trauma ripples through homes, leaving women and children struggling with grief, economic loss and displacement. Even when they survive physically, their stability and safety collapse with each outbreak of conflict. In this way, women become the secondary victims of a system built on instability and greed.

Trauma in the Dust

Mining communities are transient by nature, people come and go, leaving behind fractured relationships and unresolved trauma. Without clinics, counseling centers or legal support, survivors often bear their pain silently.

A trauma-responsive approach to GBV in these regions requires more than policy statements. It demands sustained presence, counselors and outreach workers who understand the rhythms of mining life, who can meet survivors where they are. It calls for mobile support services, education on consent and safety and partnerships with local leaders to rebuild respect and accountability.

What Must Change

1. Regulate and Protect

   
   

   Stronger policy measures and visible law enforcement in artisanal mining zones are essential. Regulation must include not only economic oversight but also gender protection and violence prevention strategies.

2. Empower Local Women

   
   

   Economic independence can reduce vulnerability. Supporting women in mining, through cooperatives, microfinance, and formal training, can shift the power dynamics that fuel abuse.

3. Community Engagement and Dialogue

   
   

   Traditional and community leaders must break their silence on GBV. Cultural stigma around speaking out has allowed abusers to operate unchecked. Dialogue and education should reach men as much as women, reframing masculinity around respect, protection and partnership.

4. Mental Health and Trauma Services

   
   

   Investing in trauma-responsive programs like counseling, psychosocial support and healing circles, gives survivors the space to reclaim their voices and dignity.

5. Accountability for All Forms of Violence

   
   

   Justice must be accessible, from man-to-man murders to sexual exploitation. Without accountability, cycles of violence will persist, and the “resource curse” will continue to claim victims in silence.

   
   

A Glimmer of Hope

At Bertha’s Legacy, we see every survivor as a story of resilience. Despite the harsh realities in mining regions, women are leading quiet revolutions, forming support groups, educating one another and holding men accountable. Communities are beginning to see that true wealth is not found in gold dust but in restoring dignity, safety and hope.The resource curse does not have to define our narrative.