Women and sustainable energy — a driving force

Launch of Breaking the Barriers: Promoting Women Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Energy Value Chains

By Benson Ireri, Programme Coordinator Africa, Christian Aid

The Morning Sun solar powered shop, run by women in Southern Ethiopia, has a mobile phone charging hub for the wider community to charge their phones

Global Development Commitments

In the last five years, the world has witnessed the signing of several global development commitments.

At the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 7, is the promise to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all- leaving no one behind.

In 2013, the Africa Union (AU) member states committed to Agenda 2063. This seeks to transform all Africa’s economies to a middle-income level, through the industrialisation and mechanisation of the agricultural sector, amongst others.

Students doing their homework by solar lamp in Southern Ethiopia. The lamps replace firewood, reducing smoke emissions, deforestation and women’s workloads

To reach these goals requires the generation and distribution of a significant amount of energy, for lighting, cooking, as well as for productive use.

Meaningful development can only be achieved with the participation of women in this process. The world can no longer rely on business as usual approaches that have left women behind due to social-cultural, or technical related challenges.

New and innovative approaches will need to be put in place, with women firmly at the centre.

Women selling essential items at their ‘Addis’ solar shop, in Southern Ethiopia. The refrigerator is also solar powered

The European Union’s (EU) recent funding for women and sustainable energy, Breaking the barriers: Promoting Women Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Energy Value Chains, comes at the right time as Christian Aid, and its partners, seek to promote women’s rightful place in energy value chains.

Launched in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, by the Minister for Energy on International Women’s Day, it was met with great excitement by women from Burkina Faso, and the other three target countries, Ethiopia, Malawi and Honduras.

Project Aims

The project will support women’s groups from the four countries to establish women-led sustainable energy enterprises.

Running until August 2021, it will provide financial support as well as skills development to thrive in energy businesses.

Putting women at the heart of sustainable energy programmes will improve working and living conditions, promote gender equality and strengthen women’s social status.

For more information contact Benson Ireri at bireri@christian-aid.org

Funded by the European Union. This content was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Christian Aid and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

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Read in more about our work in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi and Honduras

Christian Aid in Burkina Faso >

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