The 4th edition of Ladies Days, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from September 25-26, 2026, brought together professionals, young graduates, students, and aspiring mining professionals to discuss skills, opportunities, and means of accessing the mining and energy sectors. The event's theme was "Mines, Energy, and Female Leadership: Skills and Opportunities at the Heart of the Energy Transition."
The event was opened by Ariane Coulibaly, President of the Burkina Faso Mining Engineers Club, who emphasized the initiative's goal of supporting young girls, providing them with tools, and preparing them to integrate into the mining sector. Coulibaly explained that Ladies Days aims to provide young girls with adequate training to enter the mining field and to bring together young women from different backgrounds to familiarize them with the sector's realities.
During the 4th edition, participants were introduced to various aspects of mining activities, including mineral processing and production. Entrepreneurship, investment, and the Regional Securities Exchange (BRVM) were also part of the program. The objective was to demonstrate that opportunities in the sector are not limited to direct employment on a mining site. Coulibaly stressed that women can create their own businesses, access financing, and be valued in the sector.
Yacouba Zabré Gouba, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Quarries, emphasized the need to strengthen women's capacities, access to economic opportunities, and decision-making positions. He identified three key areas of focus: capacity building and training, access to economic opportunities, and occupation of decision-making positions. The Minister encouraged young girls to pursue scientific, technological, and engineering fields and facilitate the participation of women-led enterprises in the mining and energy value chain.
The event also addressed the issue of women's access to technical professions. Vincent Ouédraogo, representing the sponsor, Orode Mining's CEO, noted that certain tasks, such as operating heavy machinery, are often dominated by men. He emphasized that this situation must change and announced that his company would offer internships and training opportunities to young girls, including in drilling and hauling.
Fatim Konaté, a participant since the first edition, attends Ladies Days annually to enhance her professional skills. She values the event's training sessions and panels, which enrich her knowledge and contribute to her career development. The event's discussions aim to translate into concrete opportunities, including more training, internships, jobs, entrepreneurship, and access to responsibilities for women in the mining and energy sectors.
The 4th edition of Ladies Days provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the role of women in the mining and energy sectors. Key stakeholders emphasized the need for women's empowerment, capacity building, and access to opportunities in these sectors. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting women's participation and leadership in the mining and energy industries.
Key points
- The event focused on women's role in the mining and energy sectors, with discussions on skills, opportunities, and means of accessing these sectors.
- The initiative aims to support young girls and women in accessing the mining sector through training, internships, and job opportunities.
- Stakeholders emphasized the need for women's empowerment, capacity building, and access to decision-making positions in the mining and energy sectors.
