In many countries, women have been largely excluded from the growth and the development opportunities given by extractive industries in communities, while being at the same time disproportionately vulnerable to many of the risks associated with them.

It is a truism that while the extractive industries hold promises for host communities’ progress, they pose more risk than opportunity for women and girls, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic, with increased risk for gender-based violence and World Bank statistics pegging the percentage of women who have suffered gender-based violence at a conservative one out of five.

The SITEI-Woman initiative was launched to tactfully question and reverse norms that have culturally and systematically hampered women’s progress, with especial focus on equity, inclusion, justice and gender-based violence in host communities in Nigeria.

While companies have contributed towards improved social development through providing jobs, paying taxes, building an industrial base, enhancing efficiency, earning foreign exchange and transferring technology, they have also been linked publicly to deepening disparities in wealth, poor labour conditions, pollution incidents, health and safety failings, forced displacement and other human and civil rights abuses, leading to calls from all over the world for companies to become more accountable. As extractive companies have severe negative impacts on their host communities, they are expected to deliver lasting social and economic benefits to the areas where they have their footprints.

The Community and Human Rights (CAHR) Awards – pronounced “Car Awards” – seeks to provide a platform that would encourage businesses to take extraneous steps to correct the anomalies of engagement within communities, primarily extractive communities, by acknowledging and appreciating best performing companies and individuals.