Southern African women activists raise concerns about coal company's harmful impacts
'Women stand their ground against big coal', 3 Feb 2015: …50 grassroots women activists gathered…to stand their ground against Big Coal…in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana…[W]omen [living]…within walking distance of Sasol…explained how sinusitis and asthma are distressing their families…[and expressed] concern that Sasol has polluted the entire area’s water supplies…Women from Mozambique…described their dislocations by Vale from productive fields close to markets and services. They now live in a…rettlement area…[where] [t]he land cannot be farmed and families are being starved…Coal encroaches on community lands and livelihoods, but fails to create…promised work…Some coal mining companies are accused of…sexist practices…and pervasive sexual harassment…[T]he women recorded how they have been harassed and threatened, sidelined…and victimised during…peaceful protests. One of the participants said, “When you speak…you never know what is going to happen to you.”…