Empowering West Africa: ECREEE unveils gender mainstreaming strategy for renewable energy

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) convened a pivotal validation workshop on May 9, 2024, to unveil and refine their Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan for the period of 2023-2027. This significant event was hosted in Praia and supported by GIZ under the Program Promoting a Climate-friendly Energy Market in West Africa (ProCEM-II).

Attended by a diverse range of stakeholders, including delegates from the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CDCG) led by its Director, and the Gender focal point of the ROGEAP project, the workshop was aimed at ratifying ECREEE’s strategic vision in integrating gender perspectives into its initiatives.

The primary goal of the workshop was to seek validation from experts and advocates in the fields of renewable energy and gender equality, thereby emphasizing the importance of aligning gender considerations with energy policies and projects. ECREEE’s Executive Director, Mr. Francis Sempore, highlighted the significance of this approach, asserting that gender equality is a fundamental pillar for sustainable development and amplifying the impact of renewable energy and energy efficiency endeavors.

Mrs. Sandra Oulate, Director of the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CDCG), extended the Centre’s unwavering support to ECREEE in implementing its Gender Mainstreaming Strategy and Action Plan at the regional level. She emphasized that the strategy embodies ECOWAS’s commitment to promoting gender-sensitive policies and initiatives across West Africa.

The workshop served as a dynamic platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, provide feedback, and suggest enhancements to the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy. It fostered vibrant discussions on best practices, success stories, and innovative approaches to advancing gender equality within the renewable energy sector.

Prior to this validation workshop, a preliminary report had received pre-approval from the National Gender-Energy Focal Points of the Ministries of Energy of ECOWAS Member States during an online session held on May 8, 2024.

The outcomes of this workshop are anticipated to catalyze transformative actions in the region, ushering in an era where gender equality becomes integral to the advancement of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives across West Africa.

This collaborative effort underscores ECREEE’s commitment to harnessing the potential of gender mainstreaming for inclusive and sustainable energy solutions in the region.