15 June 2015
ECOWAS Endorses Gender Mainstreaming Policy in Energy Access
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During a regional gender and energy workshop, organized by the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and the ECOWAS Department of Social Affairs and Gender, that took place in Dakar, Senegal, from 4-5 June 2015, ECOWAS members validated the regional policy to mainstream gender in all energy programmes, projects and initiatives implemented in the member States.

Ecowas11 June 2015: During a regional gender and energy workshop, organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and the ECOWAS Department of Social Affairs and Gender, ECOWAS members validated the regional policy to mainstream gender in all energy programmes, projects and initiatives implemented in the member States.

The policy validation workshop, held in Dakar, Senegal, from 4-5 June 2015, created a platform for energy and gender experts from gender and energy ministries in the ECOWAS region, civil society organizations (CSOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, research institutions, development partners and other stakeholders to deliberate on the draft policy document and its implementation plan.

The goal of the ECOWAS policy on gender mainstreaming in energy access is to address existing barriers that may hinder the equal participation of women and men in: the expansion of energy access in West Africa; success of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) initiative; and ECOWAS regional policies on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The policy aims to: achieve widespread understanding of energy and gender considerations at all levels of society; ensure that all energy interventions are gender-inclusive and directed towards addressing inequalities and energy poverty; increase women’s public-sector participation in energy-related technical fields and decision-making positions; and ensure that women and men have equal opportunities to enter and succeed in energy-related fields in the private sector.

Mahama Kappiah, ECREEE Executive Director, cautioned against condoning inequality in any facet of society, particularly when it results in preventing sustainable development, as is the case for the gender inequalities in the energy sector. It is envisaged that the policy be adopted in the fourth quarter of 2015. [ECREEE Press Release] [Publication: Final Report from the Workshop]


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