Amid the conflicts and exploitation in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining industry, a group of women may have found a solution to change the face of artisanal mining. A beacon of hope is emerging with the rise of the “mother boss.” Mélanie Gouby provides unique insight into this revolutionary phenomenon, acknowledging their courageous struggle and giving a voice to these often-overlooked women.
Mélanie Gouby is an investigative journalist familiar with conflict narratives. For years, she has lived and worked in eastern DRC, documenting the region’s conflicts and exposing the exploitation of its precious mines. Amid these often dark stories, Gouby found a bright thread, the “mother bosses” of Maniema province. They are the focus of an article by Gouby, who was recently nominated for the One World Media Award (OWM), and for a good reason. In an investigation funded by the Congo Basin Rainforest Journalism Fund, Gouby not only reveals how the “mother bosses” have taken control of the artisanal mining industry, she also delves into the challenges the women face and their potential to influence change in a notoriously difficult industry.
Pin Africa: Can you tell us about your article, “Rise of the ‘mother boss’: how female miners are taking control in DRC”, which has been nominated for the One World Media Award?
Mélanie Gouby: The article on the “mother bosses” is part of a project funded by the Pulitzer Center. It highlights a new generation of female bosses in the DRC’s mining sector. These women are taking control by becoming owners of their own mining pits, radically changing the power dynamics. By empowering women and putting them on an economic par with men, we reduce their vulnerability to sexual exploitation and promote the wellbeing of the entire community. This initiative goes beyond mere economic empowerment; it redefines traditional social and economic roles, showing that women are crucial in households. When a woman manages money and earns an income, it’s much better invested in the family’s wellbeing, including children’s education, family economic development, family planning, and healthcare.
You are prominently known for your investigative journalism work; however, you also have an interest in solutions journalism. How do you reconcile these two approaches in your work?
For me, solutions journalism is about exploring alternatives while maintaining a critical mindset. It’s not just about exposing what doesn’t work but also highlighting what could work better. For example, the story of the “mother bosses” shows how women can transform a traditionally male-dominated mining industry into a more equitable and safe space. I felt it was important not to limit myself to exposing failed solutions but to also show what could work better.
How do you hope your work will influence public perception and policies regarding women’s rights and gender equality in Africa?
I think it’s clear that women’s rights are not respected in many African countries, and there’s a lot of work to be done in this area. The DRC, among others, has significant work to do regarding women’s rights. I hope this report and Annie Sinanduku Mwange’s work with the “mother bosses” will help Congolese, Africans, and people worldwide. There’s a lot of work to be done for women worldwide too; people have to understand everybody benefits when women are respected and have equal rights with men. Ultimately, it’s not just women who benefit; it’s the entire society, the entire community. When women are put in vulnerable positions, we all suffer. This needs to change.
What specifically draws you to reporting on the Congo, and what do you think others might not see or understand about this complex and rich country?
My first work in the DRC was with an organisation called the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR), which employed me to cover the trial of Congolese warlords at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. IWPR is an organisation that builds media capacity in war-torn or post-conflict countries. At the same time, I worked with Congolese journalists on a radio show about international justice. After several visits to Goma, I decided to settle there to work directly with these journalists. We created a newsroom and a website, producing radio and video reports. I loved this work and my colleagues, and I love the DRC. I became part of a community of people who are among my best friends. I think the DRC is a beautiful country. There are so many things I can tell you; I have experienced many powerful moments in the DRC.
What strikes and touches me deeply about the DRC is that despite everything, people organise themselves, demonstrating incredible resourcefulness notwithstanding the lack of proper systems and structures that don’t allow them to live in community with one another and freely in society as they should. Regardless of the poverty and challenges faced by the Congolese people, they maintain their dignity, organise themselves, and help each other find solutions. I believe one of the special things about Congo is the strength of its people. Annie Sinanduku Mwange’s work is an example of this self-organisation.
What made you stay in Goma despite the outbreak of the M23 rebellion?
Before the war broke out in 2014, I had already been living in Goma for a year. This was just before the M23 rebellion began. The programme I was in Goma for had ended, and I was supposed to leave for Nairobi. However, the conflict broke out, and I felt it was my responsibility to stay and document it, as there were no foreign correspondents based in Goma at the time. When I was younger, I had this idea that I would become a war correspondent because it was important. I still think it is. However, I’m now more interested in the causes and complexities behind conflicts. This is partly why I wrote the article on the “mother bosses.” I conducted this investigation because the war in eastern DRC is often reduced to a simple dispute. Yet, it’s very complex, and this simplification of the root causes of the war has also had very negative consequences for communities in eastern DRC, and has not helped solve the conflict so far.
How do you perceive the role of the international community in solving the Congo’s problems?
I am convinced that the solutions to Congo’s problems must come from the Congolese themselves. The international community must support people like Annie Sinanduku Mwange and stop imposing inappropriate solutions because they are not designed by the Congolese people.
You have been nominated and awarded several times by various organisations, including the One World Media Awards. How have these distinctions influenced your career as a journalist and your approach to reporting?
I don’t think these distinctions have influenced my career or approach, but I am very honoured. They help shed more light on the subjects I cover. It’s a way to get these topics talked about, and it’s extremely important for the work we do to be seen or read by more people. These distinctions are also a recognition of the importance of solutions journalism and the positive impact it can have on communities. They motivate me to continue searching for stories that can inspire change and support effective local initiatives.
What advice would you give to a young journalist who wants to engage in investigative or solutions journalism, particularly in countries facing challenges like Congo?
My advice would be to take the time to really get to know the country, understand the local culture and dynamics. Be humble and always listen to what people tell you.
Celebrate the power of truth, connect with top journalists, and be inspired by their stories. Join us for the One World Media Awards on June 19 in London, honouring journalistic excellence. One World Media is a non-profit organisation committed to supporting independent media in developing countries and promoting media coverage that fosters understanding and dialogue.
