Gender and sand extraction in the Usumacinta River basin

Abstract

Globally, sand and gravel are the second most extracted natural resources by volume after water. Despite that, knowledge about social and gender implications of sand-supply systems is limited. Here we aimed to advance the understanding of practices and gender relations in sand mining at male and female spaces in the Usumacinta River basin in Mexico and Guatemala. Drawing from desk and field research carried out in 79 locations on the riverbanks of the Usumacinta River and eight tributaries, this paper examines the extractive activities, gender roles and conditions of the workers. Sand extraction is characterized by a large diversity of actors, forms of organization, and local practices. We provide empirical evidence of a prevalent gender imbalance in the sand mining sector, as well as between men and women's spaces. Women participate in sand-mining related works in 19.51% of the sites, although in half of those cases they perform administrative tasks from town offices. Overall, their roles are seen as peripheral and minor even as they sell and classify materials and contribute to organizational tasks. We argue that the low participation of women at extraction sites is due to a combination of physically demanding work conditions and deeply ingrained gender norms in rural communities.