Challenging masculinity in CSR disclosures: silencing of women's voices in Tanzania's mining industry.

Lauwo, Sarah

Abstract

This paper presents a feminist analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a male-dominated industry within a developing country context. It seeks to raise awareness of the silencing of women's voices in CSR reports produced by mining companies in Tanzania. Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in Africa, and women are often marginalised in employment and social policy considerations. Drawing on work by Hélène Cixous, a post-structuralist/radical feminist scholar, the paper challenges the masculinity of CSR discourses that have repeatedly masked the voices and concerns of "other" marginalised social groups, notably women. Using interpretative ethnographic case studies, the paper provides much-needed empirical evidence to show how gender imbalances remain prevalent in the Tanzanian mining sector. This evidence draws attention to the dynamics faced by many women working in or living around mining areas in Tanzania. The paper argues that CSR, a discourse enmeshed with the patriarchal logic of the contemporary capitalist system, is entangled with tensions, class conflicts and struggles which need to be unpacked and acknowledged. The paper considers the possibility of policy reforms in order to promote gender balance in the Tanzanian mining sector and create a platform for women's concerns to be voiced.

Citation

LAUWO, S. 2018. Challenging masculinity in CSR disclosures: silencing of women's voices in Tanzania's mining industry. Journal of business ethics [online], 149(3), pages 689-706. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3047-4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 25, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Feb 8, 2016
• Publication Date: May 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Mar 19, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 19, 2024
• Journal: Journal of business ethics
• Print ISSN: 0167-4544
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-0697
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 149
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 689-706
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3047-4
• Keywords: Corporate social responsibility (CSR); Masculinity; Feminism; Women and society; Mining industry; Tanzania
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2278601