As part of the activities of the women-led advocacy project, Strengthening Women in Mining (SWIM) We the People hosted women from 5 mining communities, Akansoko, Akwa Ikot Effanga, Abiati, Mfamosing and Mbobui all in Akamkpa and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of Cross River state. The town hall gathering was planned as a space to engage with women from frontline communities on legal empowerment, community power and environmental justice.

We the People Project Officer on Mining, Nsikak Peter Udofot, informed participants that the project aims to equip women with relevant knowledge, skills and tools to hold mining companies and the government accountable for environmental and social impacts faced by communities where mining is ongoing. He further stated that the overall goal of the project is to build the power of community women to be able to engage justice issues in their communities using the three-pronged legal empowerment tool: Know the law, Use the law and Shape the law.

The women reported that their communities have suffered severe environmental degradation, health hazards, insecurity, and social injustices on account of mining activities. Other impacts include water pollution, reduced air quality, land grabbing, poor crop yield and loss of livelihoods.

The women also reported that they are socially and economically affected as a result of limited access to employment opportunities, lack of adequate compensation from the mining company and, non-inclusion in key decision-making processes involving the community. According to the  women leader of Mfamosing community, “some of the women in my community have lost their farmlands because of the mining. We were only given a paltry amount as compensation. This is what triggered anger in the community and led to a protest”.

The town hall meeting held on Thursday, the 3rd of July, 2025, at the Mfamosing community town hall centre, and marked a significant step towards building the power and resilience of women in the identified communities.