International Women in Mining Day
June 15
About International Women in Mining Day
International Women in Mining Day, also known as the International Day of Women in Mining (IDWIM), takes place every year on 15 June. The day recognises the contributions of women working across the global mining sector and draws attention to the work still needed to achieve gender equality in one of the world’s most male-dominated industries.
What is International Women in Mining Day?
International Women in Mining Day is an annual awareness campaign that celebrates the women who work in mining and highlights the barriers they continue to face. It was created by International Women in Mining (IWiM), a global not-for-profit organisation that promotes gender equality and amplifies women’s voices, access to opportunities, and leadership across the sector. The day is observed by mining companies, suppliers, universities, industry associations, unions, and governments around the world. Its purpose is to recognise the perseverance, talent, and achievements of women in mining while encouraging the industry to build a more inclusive and equitable workforce.
When is International Women in Mining Day?
International Women in Mining Day falls on Monday, 15 June 2026. The date is fixed, so the day is marked on 15 June every year. It was first held on 15 June 2022 and has been observed annually on the same date ever since.
Why International Women in Mining Day Matters
Mining remains one of the least gender-balanced industries in the world. Women make up roughly 16 per cent of the global mining workforce, according to World Bank estimates, and their representation in senior leadership and on company boards is lower still. The average proportion of female employees at major mining companies sat at around 17 per cent in 2023, and progress towards parity has been slow.
The reasons are well documented: workplace cultures built around men, hiring practices that overlook women, limited career progression, health and safety provisions that do not account for women’s needs, and the difficulty of balancing demanding rosters with caring responsibilities. As mining adapts to automation, electrification, and the surge in demand for the minerals needed for clean energy, the sector faces a skills shortage that it cannot solve while excluding half the population. International Women in Mining Day makes the case that closing the gender gap is both a question of fairness and a practical necessity for the industry’s future.
How to Get Involved in International Women in Mining Day
There are many ways for individuals, companies, and organisations to take part, whether or not they work in the sector:
- Share women’s stories – Use the day to profile the geologists, engineers, operators, and executives in your organisation, giving visible role models to women considering a career in mining.
- Host an event or webinar – Many companies run panel discussions, site tours, and networking sessions to mark the occasion and start conversations about inclusion.
- Review your workplace policies – Examine recruitment, promotion, parental leave, and safety provisions to identify where women may be disadvantaged, then commit to specific improvements.
- Mentor or sponsor – Experienced professionals can offer mentorship to women earlier in their careers, while leaders can actively sponsor talented women for stretch roles and promotions.
- Support a local WIM network – More than 70 Women in Mining organisations operate across every continent. Joining or donating to one helps fund the community work that sustains progress year-round.
- Engage young people – Schools, colleges, and outreach programmes can show girls that mining offers careers in engineering, science, technology, and sustainability, not just manual labour.
- Use the official toolkit – IWiM publishes resources and campaign materials each year so participants can join the global conversation with a consistent message.
- Spread the word online – Posting with the campaign hashtags helps the day reach a wider audience and keeps gender equality on the industry’s agenda.
History of International Women in Mining Day
The day was launched by International Women in Mining (IWiM), an organisation founded in 2007 and now registered as a community interest company in the United Kingdom. IWiM connects more than 12,500 members and followers across over 125 countries, and works with the network of regional Women in Mining groups that has grown up around the world.
IWiM announced the creation of the International Day of Women in Mining in 2022, choosing 15 June as the fixed annual date. The inaugural celebration on 15 June 2022 was held as a global virtual event and drew more than 1,000 participants, including mining professionals from companies, suppliers, academia, industry associations, students, unions, and governments. It was described as a sector-led campaign, meaning the industry itself was invited to take ownership of the day rather than having it imposed from outside.
Since that first year the day has grown into an established fixture on the mining calendar, with companies and WIM networks marking it through events, reports, and public commitments. Each year the campaign raises awareness of the progress made so far while keeping attention on the considerable work that remains before the sector reaches genuine gender equality.
Noteworthy Facts About International Women in Mining Day
- The first International Day of Women in Mining was held on 15 June 2022 and attracted more than 1,000 participants worldwide.
- IWiM, the organisation behind the day, was founded in 2007 and is registered as a community interest company in the UK.
- IWiM connects with over 12,500 members and followers across more than 125 countries.
- There are over 70 Women in Mining organisations operating on every continent.
- Women make up around 16 per cent of the global mining workforce, with representation varying widely by country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Women in Mining Day?
It is an annual campaign that celebrates women working in mining and highlights the need for greater gender equality across the sector. It was created by the not-for-profit organisation International Women in Mining (IWiM).
When is International Women in Mining Day in 2026?
International Women in Mining Day is on Monday, 15 June 2026. The date is fixed and falls on 15 June every year.
Who organises International Women in Mining Day?
The day is organised by International Women in Mining (IWiM), a global not-for-profit founded in 2007 and based in the United Kingdom. It launched the day in 2022 as a sector-led, global campaign.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing International Women in Mining Day with your friends, colleagues, and followers. Use the hashtags #IDWIM and #IDWIM2026 on social media. The more people who know about the day, the greater the momentum behind gender equality in mining.
Related Awareness Days
- International Women in Engineering Day – Celebrates women in another technical, traditionally male-dominated field and shares the same goal of widening access to STEM careers.
- International Day of Women in Diplomacy – Recognises women’s leadership and representation in another global profession where they remain underrepresented.
- Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Day – Highlights the businesses and workers, many of them women, who underpin local economies and supply chains worldwide.
Links
- Visit the official International Day of Women in Mining website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
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