Gender Integration in Energy Projects: Problems and Prospects
Oluwatomi Omogbai *, Talatu Tarfa** and Ifeoma Malo ***
In the past, energy projects focused less on gender inclusion and this can be attributed to the limited expertise and tools in gender analysis identified in the energy sector. Designing gender-responsive projects and interventions are hindered because of a lack of expertise especially in the area of gathering gender disaggregated data or analysis and in understanding how to integrate these collected data in project design and reporting.
Cultural and social norms also pose a challenge that sometimes exclude women from political, social and economic opportunities. A common barrier is evident in the lack of support from policy makers and institutional capacity to address these gender disparities.
Also, there is another challenge faced in integrating a gender component into energy projects as evidenced in the low number of women in leadership positions where decisions are made. As a result, the capacity to drive these projects, provide the required perspective for a holistic implementation as well as increase overall project impact is grossly limited. This leads to having projects being executed without integrating the differing needs. In addition, it is evident that women are scarcely represented during training and capacity building sessions in the energy sector.
Another glaring challenge is the lack of gender disaggregated databases which exacerbates the current gender gap. This means that developers of energy solutions cannot have a reflection of the gender situation in communities where the project is to be executed. Most of the databases available are built with information at the household level but there is no specific data collected on the differing gender uses or needs within these households or its distribution.
WHY SHOULD GENDER BE CONSIDERED IN ENERGY PROJECTS?
Other than for moral and social reasons, organizations and project developers should use a gender lens in their project planning and execution because of its economic potential. The impact of gender lens in projects is far reaching, as are the consequences of overlooking it. According to a recent World Bank Group study, countries across the globe are losing about $160 trillion as a result of the earning differences between men and women. Driving women’s equality in the workplace would add $12 trillion to the annual global GDP. By considering the full scope of the business case, companies and economies at large stand to unlock considerable growth opportunities.
According to the Financial Alliance for Women report, “the female economy is large, fast-growing and underserved- and this indicates a ready market for renewable energy project developers to tap into. Also, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that women represent only one-third of the renewable energy workforce worldwide. This is a huge concern especially for women in sub-Saharan Africa where projections are that power generation capacity will come largely from renewable sources in 2040. Clearly, women are being left behind in this growing sector.
Initiatives such as the IFC Energy2Equal launched in October 2019 and the Power Africa NPSP Gender and Inclusion program were developed to increase opportunities for women in renewable energy. Both schemes work with businesses in sub-Saharan Africa to bridge the gender gap and facilitate women’s access to jobs and leadership positions within the renewable energy space. The project delivery process of these initiatives have been proven and it has unfolded many possibilities of increasing women productivity in communities, societies and the country at large with gender considerations in energy projects.
CONCLUSION
Gender inclusion in energy projects remains a win-win proposition other than a zero win. Understanding different community gender needs at the dearth of using gender disaggregated data can be a herculean task initially but in the long run it can be used as leverage for economic expansion.
With increasing women’s needs being addressed, energy interventions and projects will have increased impact. With more energy projects embracing the inclusion of gender, it is only a matter of time before developers begin to reap the benefits from the large market share.
Oluwatomi Omogbai* is an Associate, Gender and New Energy Frontiers at Clean Technology Hub
Talatu Tarfa** is the Deputy Manager, Energy Access at Clean Technology Hub
Ifeoma Malo*** is the Founder & CEO of Clean Technology Hub
