Abstract: Submission #59

Abstract The relationship between environmental justice and gender dimensions remains poorly understood globally. However, there is evidence to show how gender roles, responsibilities, and expectations put women at a disadvantage in terms of enduring the brunt of environmental injustices, especially in the Global South. The neglect of gender considerations in environmental justice policy and research results from the limited public visibility of the manifestation of environmental burdens on women. Nevertheless, little is known about the gendered dynamics of environmental justice in Ghana’s natural resource extraction context. To address the research gap, the present study focused on exploring how the benefits and burdens of gold mining are distributed between men and women and their level of inclusion in environmental decisions in five communities hosting gold mining operations in the Asutifi North District of Ghana. Drawing on liberal feminism as a theoretical lens and employing qualitative in-depth interviews, the study explores how residents experience and understand the manifestation of environmental justice between men and women. The findings reveal women’s limited inclusion in environment-related decision-making spaces due to gender-assigned norms and patriarchal systems. Additionally, the findings suggest that women disproportionately endure the brunt of mining’s detrimental effects while men reap substantial employment benefits. The study recommends that policymakers carefully review and systematically integrate gender empowerment approaches in community development practices to benefit women.