Date: November 24, 2020
Time: 13:00-14:30 GMT | 14:00-15:30 CET | 16:00-17:30 EAT
Location: Virtual event. Register here.

The African Development Bank, the Climate Investment Funds and ENERGIA are pleased to invite you to the Global launch of the Gender and Energy Country Briefs for Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda on November 24, 2020. This event will present key data on the nexus between gender and energy for these countries and provide recommendations to inform policy to further mainstream gender, so that women and men can equally benefit from energy interventions.

Background information

Energy is a critical enabler in reaching many of the sustainable development goals, from reducing poverty, inequalities and exposure to household pollution, to improving the quality of education, security and climate protection through better lighting, technologies and use of clean resources. However, women and men differ in their level of access to energy and energy services, as well as in the use of and control over these sources. Unequal gender norms and traditions limit women’s participation in energy planning, hinder their opportunities to benefit from energy interventions and voice their needs.

The COVID-19 outbreak has exacerbated the long-standing gender disparities, specifically in those countries where the gender gap is high in the social, economic empowerment and representation dimensions. The pandemic has amplified the existing inequalities in accessing modern and clean energy services, highlighting once again the urgency of long-sighted strategies to build an equal and inclusive energy sector.

The African Development Bank, ENERGIA and the Climate Investment Funds developed four country briefs that look at the current status of the gender and energy nexus in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. Based on an in-depth review of policy documents and consultations with key stakeholders, the briefs aim to provide policymakers and practitioners with recommendations to effectively integrate gender in energy planning, implementation and monitoring. Recognizing the need to prioritize policy action in the field of gender and energy, also in the light of COVID-19 recovery plans, the briefs present key data, an overview of the institutional set-up and targets on gender and energy, and an analysis of barriers and opportunities.

Global launch*

The event will offer insights on how policy makers and practitioners can support a more gender inclusive energy sector by strengthening policies and programmes. By sharing the biggest gender-related challenges in achieving energy access for all, as well as opportunities and socio-economic benefits of taking a gender approach, this event will provide an opportunity to discuss the evidence on gender and energy and actions needed to empower women and increase their access to and control over energy services.

AGENDA

Moderator: Anne Kuriakose, Senior Social Development Specialist, Climate Investment Funds

Opening remarks
Vanessa Moungar, Director for Gender, Women and Civil Society, African Development Bank

Keynote address
Nnenna Nwabufo, Deputy Director General / Acting Director General of East Africa, African Development Bank, East African region

Presentation of main findings
Annemarije Kooijman, Principal Investigator, ENERGIA

Panel discussion

• Paul Mbuthi, Deputy Director of Renewable Energy, Ministry of Energy of Kenya
• Peace Kaliisa, Donor Coordinator, Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda
• Ephrem Tesfaye, Independent Regulatory Board Secretariat Lead Coordinator and a Power Economist in Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP)
• Estomih Sawe, Director of TaTEDO, Tanzania
• Ziria Tibalwa Waako, Executive Director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority, Uganda
• Daniel Schroth, advisor to the Vice President and Acting Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, African Development Bank

Closing remarks
Professor Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth, African Development Bank

Download the event brochure here. Please click here to register.

*Following the global launch there will be country specific launches in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.