- Given the stark disparities caused by climate change, prioritising women in Africa’s green energy transition is crucial.
- Empowering women in this field is not just about fairness; it is a strategic necessity for achieving energy access and climate goals.
- Empowering women in the clean energy sector is crucial for driving innovation and achieving sustainable development goals.
By Makena Ireri and Ciara Remerscheid
Climate change poses a significant threat to Africa, with African women expected to bear the brunt of its impacts.
The continent faces a range of severe challenges, from extreme weather events to diminishing water resources and agricultural disruptions.
Extreme weather, including prolonged droughts and intense storms, is becoming more frequent, exacerbating food insecurity and displacing communities. These conditions disproportionately affect women, who are often responsible for securing water, food, and fuel for their families.
As resources become scarcer, their daily tasks become more arduous, limiting opportunities for education and economic advancement.
Water scarcity, a growing issue across Africa, hits rural women the hardest. They often travel long distances to find water, a task made even more difficult as climate change reduces the availability of clean water sources. This not only impacts their health but also restricts their ability to engage in other productive activities.
Agricultural disruptions due to changing climate patterns threaten the livelihoods of many African women who depend on farming.
Unpredictable weather and reduced crop yields increase the risk of poverty and food insecurity, further entrenching gender inequalities.
Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, African countries face a disproportionate burden of climate change’s consequences.
This inequality is further exacerbated for African women, who experience the greatest repercussions due to their roles in food production, water collection, and other essential responsibilities.
The continent’s women are on the front lines of climate change. They are primarily responsible for securing food and water for their families, tasks that are becoming increasingly difficult as extreme weather events and resource scarcity intensify.
Addressing these challenges requires targeted strategies that empower women.
Providing education, improving access to resources, and involving women in decision-making processes are crucial steps in building resilient communities.
Prioritising Women
Given the stark disparities caused by climate change, prioritising women in Africa’s green energy transition is crucial.
While African women bear the brunt of energy poverty, they also play vital roles in sustainable development. Their active involvement in the green energy transition is essential for its success and sustainability.
Research highlights that women’s participation in decision-making processes and leadership roles within the energy sector leads to more inclusive and effective solutions. Gender-inclusive approaches ensure that the unique needs and priorities of women are adequately addressed, resulting in more practical and impactful products.
The continent’s women, often responsible for securing household energy, face significant challenges due to limited access to clean and affordable energy sources.
By involving women in the transition to green energy, we can develop solutions that not only address energy poverty but also enhance women’s economic and social well-being.
Empowering women through education, training, and leadership opportunities in the energy sector can drive innovation and foster resilient communities.
As key stakeholders, women can help shape a sustainable future, making the green energy transition in Africa more equitable and effective.
Bridging Gender Gap
Despite their crucial roles in sustainable development, women remain severely underrepresented in management positions within Africa’s clean energy sector.
Research from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) reveals that women hold only a quarter of leadership and managerial roles at renewable energy companies in sub-Saharan Africa.
This underrepresentation not only deprives women of the responsibilities, salaries, and fulfillment of management positions but also hinders the sector’s progress.
Empowering more women to lead in the renewable energy industry could significantly benefit the sector.
Companies could harness diverse perspectives and innovative ideas from women to drive a faster transition towards clean and sustainable energy systems, improving both energy access and climate goals.
Moreover, gender-inclusive leadership has been shown to enhance company performance and profitability.
Through addressing this disparity, the renewable energy sector can leverage the full potential of its workforce.
Promoting women into leadership roles is not just a matter of equity; it is a strategic advantage that can accelerate the shift to sustainable energy and bolster economic growth across the continent.
Breaking Barriers for Women
Women face significant barriers in accessing and advancing in clean energy careers.
A report by Shortlist and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) highlights that social norms and cultural biases, both within companies and in broader communities, play a critical role in creating these structural barriers.
For instance, clean energy companies often struggle to hire and retain women in field-based sales and technician roles due to perceptions about safety and the physical demands of these jobs.
These biases not only limit women’s opportunities but also deprive the sector of diverse talent and perspectives.
Addressing these barriers requires a concerted effort to challenge and change cultural norms and biases. This includes implementing policies that promote gender equality, providing training and mentorship programmes for women, and ensuring safe and supportive work environments.
By overcoming these obstacles, the clean energy sector can unlock the full potential of its workforce, driving innovation and accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.
Empowering women in this field is not just about fairness; it is a strategic necessity for achieving energy access and climate goals.
Steps to Improve Gender Equity
Fortunately, companies can take several effective actions to improve gender equity in hiring and retention.
One of the most cost-effective and straightforward strategies is to explicitly encourage women to apply for job openings.
For instance, including phrases like “Women are encouraged to apply” in job advertisements has been shown to significantly increase female application rates.
During the hiring process, it’s crucial for companies to ensure female representation among interviewers.
This allows women candidates to see themselves within the company and fosters a more inclusive environment.
Additionally, using unbiased, skills-based assessments to evaluate applicants can help mitigate gender biases and ensure fair hiring practices.
Implementing these strategies can attract more women to the clean energy sector and support their career advancement.
Through promoting gender equity, companies can benefit from diverse perspectives and drive innovation, ultimately enhancing their performance and contributing to the success of the green energy transition
Harnessing the Power of Women
The green energy transition presents a unique opportunity to advance gender equality and sustainable development in Africa.
Through supporting women’s leadership in clean energy companies, projects, and decision-making processes, Africa can unlock their full potential as agents of change, accelerating progress towards a more inclusive and resilient energy future.
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Empowering women in the clean energy sector is crucial for driving innovation and achieving sustainable development goals.
Their involvement can lead to more effective solutions, better resource management, and a stronger, more diverse workforce.
It’s time to harness the power of women to propel Africa’s clean energy revolution forward, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Makena Ireri is the Director of Demand Jobs and Livelihoods at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, while Ciara Remerscheid is the Director of Shortlist Futures. The duo have joined forces to support women in clean energy careers across Africa. With assistance from Value for Women, Shortlist and GEAPP they launched the Women for Green Jobs Program. This program aims to help women access and succeed in clean energy careers by focusing on job placements, career support, and employer level interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Uganda.
