“It’s time that we really use the power of women to become a smart energy customer,” emphasized Wini Rizkiningayu, Principal Global South at the Rocky Mountain Institute.
Rizkiningayu was speaking at the “Women Leadership in Coal Transitions,” a first in a series of consultations that will be held to deliberate on how women can be involved in the design and implementation process of energy transition policies and projects with a focus on leadership and equitable access to decision making at all levels.
“There is a lag between labor demand and labor supply when it comes to women as the workforce in, not only phasing out coal but also phasing in renewable energy,” said Rizkiningayu while adding that the private sector, multilateral development banks and other organizations will play a crucial role in bringing a systemic change pertaining to active participation of women in energy transition.
At the event, which was organized on the sidelines of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women, Francois-Philippe Dubé, Deputy Director of the Climate Finance Program, Global Affairs Canada, emphasized on how moving away from fossil fuels, especially coal, will have profound implications on societies.
“To succeed, we need to engage in genuine social dialogue. This is an important element of just transitions. And, of course, women who compose half the society, need to be fully involved in this dialogue to be meaningful,” Dubé said.
Speakers at the consultation highlighted how existing social and gender disparities amplify hurdles that restrict women from participating in transition planning and decision-making.
Underrepresentation of women at the community level, energy sector workforce, finance sector and at the policy forums reflect the gaps in women leadership, highlighted Farah Outeldait, social development specialist at the Climate Investment Funds (CIF). In a bid to address these gaps, it is essential to engage in capacity building, strong analytical assessment of specific gaps in women leadership, and address gender-based violence and social norms, Outeldait said.
Mariam Kobalia, of the EBRD highlighted the need to “mobilize all MDBs to bring together the social and green agendas.” Kobalia further added that it was important to look at the intersectionality and include women at both the design and implementation stages.
Speaking of the way ahead, Nina Kolybashkina, Senior Social Development Specialist at CIF said, “One of our visions is to find ways to bring women organizations and provide them funding throughout the life cycle of the investment plan, so that they’re not only consulted at the beginning, but they have a more active role by regularly providing feedback.”