OPINION
March 8th marks International Women’s Day. This year, countries globally, will be celebrating the day under the theme ‘For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. The theme focuses on the fundamental need for women and girls to have equal rights, opportunities and access to resources.
It also, highlights the importance of ensuring that women and girls are treated equally. Historically, women were not treated equally as men. Up to date, majority women especially in rural areas are still being treated the same in some areas.
For-instance, the energy sector has been male-dominated, with women representing a mere 16% of its workforce globally, despite constituting 39% of the labour force, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
In the agriculture sector, women farmers are the main producers of food and other agricultural produce. However, due to their low social status, lack of farming skills, low education, lack of decision making power on land issues in families and in society, women are disadvantaged in agriculture.
Inadequate access to clean energy has continuously hindered the use of solar irrigation systems and increased agriculture’s vulnerability to climate change leading to reduced crop yields and lower agricultural productivity hence affecting farmer’s incomes.
According to the United Nations, 80% of the world’s energy-poor are women, who rely heavily on biomass for cooking. Worth noting is that in East Africa, lack of access to clean energy has led to a staggering 50% decline in forest cover over the past few decades whereby women are forced to walk long distances in search of firewood.
Notably, in Sub-Saharan Africa, women spend up to 20 hours per week collecting firewood, time that could be spent on education, economic empowerment and on personal development. As we mark this day, we should look at clean energy as a game changer for women because it is the one that can address the challenges that they are currently facing.
Conclusively, addressing the challenges that women are facing cannot only unlock their full potential but also reduce poverty and promote sustainable development.
By Hildah Nsimiire,
Email: hildansimiire@gmail.com
