Respectful Workplaces We believe that a diverse workforce makes us stronger. We want our workforce to represent the diversity of the communities in which we operate. This means creating the right conditions to attract and retain a diverse workforce. Our focus in 2019 was on increasing gender diversity at Pan American Silver because we see women as drivers of positive long-term change for our operations. To help us create opportunities and conditions to attract and retain women, we worked hard to understand the actual and perceived challenges they face. These challenges include several interconnected and long-standing issues. • Cultural norms – In some parts of Latin America, women were not allowed in underground mines. While this may no longer be the case, a predominate culture of machismo can lead to non-acceptance of female colleagues, harassment, discrimination, and resistance to women in leadership roles. In addition, legislation in many countries provides insufficient social support, such as maternity leave coverage and childcare funding, to encourage women with children to work full time. • Equipment and facilities – Traditional mining equipment is not sized appropriately for women. • Location of operations – Mines are often located in remote areas, far from workers’ homes and families. In Latin America, traditional gender roles make domestic work as well as child and elder care the responsibility of women. This means that working on site may not be a viable option for women who do not live in mining camps or close to the site. Female workers who do live in a mining camp may be better able to balance the requirements of work and home, provided the camp offers such social services as adequate child and health care.
74 // 2019 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Our focus in 2019 was on increasing gender diversity at Pan American Silver because we see women as drivers of positive longterm change for our operations.
