Kadiatou is redefining what it means to be a woman in the mining sector in Guinea and inspiring young girls to do the same.
Kadiatou is a human rights advisor for our Simandou project in Guinea, Africa.
But her role isn’t just about policy and practice; it’s about ensuring that everyone we work with is treated with respect and dignity.
As part of her responsibilities, Kadiatou identifies human rights risks related to our project’s activities, guiding our team on how to mitigate these risks.
Just as importantly, her work also champions gender, diversity and inclusion.
Why Women’s Rights Matter at Simandou
“Historically, many girls and women in our region have faced significant barriers.
Cultural expectations and systemic obstacles have prevented us from fully participating in education, the workforce, and our communities. This was particularly visible in the mining sector, where the role of women can often be overlooked or undervalued.
At Rio Tinto SimFer, however, we are helping to rewrite this narrative. My role gives me the opportunity to help girls and women see a better future for themselves, to see their worth and to feel that their dreams are within reach.”
A Pivotal Moment for Young Girls at Simandou
In 2024, we invited young girls from the neighboring communities to spend a supervised week at our Canga mining site camp, where they visited the site each day and returned home in the evening.
These girls, mostly from primary and secondary schools, had never seen a woman in a mining role before, and many arrived with a limited idea of what they could accomplish here.
By immersing them in our world, we aimed to change that. We wanted them to see women as engineers, safety leaders, and skilled professionals.
One of the most powerful moments came when a young girl told us that she had always believed only men could do meaningful work on a mining site. After shadowing several women, she realised she could see a future for herself in this industry, not just as a follower, but as a leader.
Seeing her perspective change in such a short time was one of the most moving experiences of my career.
“When I arrived here, I discovered that women work in the offices or on the sites, just like men. This gives me the courage to focus on my studies so that I can work here in the future.”
Actions Speak: How We Support Women’s Rights at SimFer
Our commitment is more than just words. Rio Tinto Simfer has established the Simandou Moussolu Committee, a dedicated group working to advocate for and promote women’s interests within SimFer. Initiatives are also underway through the Respect Every Day programme, which strengthens respect and equity as core values. I believe that by creating spaces where women’s voices can be heard and valued, we empower the entire community.
In collaboration with our HR team, we are also working on the launch of a gender and diversity strategy that focuses on two fundamental principles: first, changing how leaders perceive gender inclusion, and second, raising awareness within the community. This includes educating on girls’ education, cultural norms, and the barriers preventing them from realising their potential. We are committed to creating safe and supportive workplaces where women thrive, and we are organising mentorship sessions and community outreach initiatives so that girls can see there is a place for them here.
The impact on our communities and on me
This experience has not only transformed the girls; it has also had an impact on the community. Over the course of five days, these young women shared their new ideas with nearly 500 people—students, parents, and local leaders—about the importance of girls’ education and empowerment.
For me, the experience was a reminder of the enormous potential that lies within every girl in the neighboring communities. These girls are capable of leading, innovating and redefining what it means to be a woman in their community.
I am honoured to be part of this journey at Simandou, where we are working to ensure that human rights are not only respected but also actively defended, and where every girl knows that her future is in her hands.
