India

Clean energy is playing a crucial role in driving development and improving living standards in South Asia. However, this transition is often accompanied by significant gender inequalities, limiting opportunities for women and hindering the energy sector’s overall sustainability. In India, for example, women account for an estimated 11% of the workforce in renewable energy, significantly less than the global average of 32% female-workforce in the renewables sector. Additionally, research indicates that women play an integral role as last mile agents of change in the energy efficiency domain. Therefore, it is important to include the GESI lens in our interventions towards the collective vision for a greener future!

To address these challenges and promote a just, inclusive and equitable energy sector, USAID’s South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP) program has been working with our esteemed partners, like Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), to integrate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) frameworks into energy programs and initiatives. To this end, on September 20, 2024, we held the second in a series of GESI assessment workshops with EESL. The workshop brought together EESL’s State and Cluster Project Heads to deepen their understanding of GESI principles and their application in the energy sector.

The workshop provided participants with a comprehensive overview of GESI, including baseline data on gender gaps in South Asia and best practices from the public and private sector. Through interactive exercises, they explored tools, policies, and techniques to identify GESI entry points and integrate GESI into their work. Participants learned about the significance of Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) and Gender Action Plans (GAPs) in promoting gender equality, unpacking practical skills to identify and address gender-specific challenges within their work.

The workshop was led by Dr Nidhi Prabha, GESI Advisor at USAID’s SAREP, who provided guidance based on the current epoch of the GESI framework, the gender transformative approach, that challenges underlying power structures and social norms. Ms Ritu Singh, Head of GESI at EESL, shared an overview of gender initiatives and success stories within EESL, while Ms Farah Ahmed, Cross-Cutting Lead at USAID’s SAREP, provided insights into GESI efforts under the SAREP program and delivered a vote of thanks.

By equipping EESL’s employees with the necessary knowledge and skills, this workshop is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable energy sector in South Asia. By addressing gender gaps and promoting social inclusion, EESL can ensure that its programs and initiatives benefit all segments of society, contributing to a just and sustainable future for the region.