United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) last week conducted the first national workshop on strengthening opportunities for women in energy sector, one that has been inherently perceived as masculine, according to UNDP Tajikistan.
Representatives of governmental institutions, including the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and Committee for Women and Family Affairs, private sector, donors, financial institutions, and international organizations reportedly gathered to discuss ways of increasing women’s participation in the industry.
According to the National Report on Implementation of Strategic Documents of the Country, only 26 per cent of women are involved in industry and service sectors, and only 20 per cent of women are engaged in private sector.
Women’s participation in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors were the highlight of the workshop. Women, who are actively working in the sphere, shared their experience, success and challenges they have faced, while making a career in the energy sphere. The best practices of renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors implemented by national and international non-governmental organizations were demonstrated during the workshop.
“Through this initiative that targets women interested in establishing green energy enterprises or energy cooperatives and mobilizing communities in the use of clean energy, we aim to break the vicious cycle of economic dependency, help prevent violence and empower women to transform their roles in the society as entrepreneurs, innovators and decision makers,” UNDP Deputy Country Director Sanja Bojanic said.
The workshop was timed to contribute to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence to join the global effort in underscoring the importance of using existing national laws and mechanisms to prevent discrimination and violence against women and girls.
UNDP/GEF Green Energy Small and Medium Enterprises Development Project aims to facilitate the transformation of Tajikistan’s energy sector, in particular the emergence of independent energy entrepreneurs, which can offer affordable and sustainable energy products and services to the rural population.
