The Energy Commission has begun a process to mainstream gender into its operations. The process would result is the development of a draft Gender policy and action plan to facilitate inclusiveness, responsiveness and strengthen inter relations with key sector operators and actors on how gender mainstreaming into the sector could advance the achievement of various protocols and human development.
Professor John Gatsi, the Board Chairman of the Energy Commission together with the board members have therefore met in Takoradi in the Western Region to think through the draft, developed by Dr. Rose Mensah Kutin, lead consultant and her team.
He said the strategic document would inform the Energy Commission on peculiar gender issues needing attention in line with the national gender policy to drive inclusiveness, innovation and efficiency.
Prof. Gatsi said gender equality was a key driver for development bearing in mind the various departments under the Commission and their intriguing role to promote peculiar gender issues in the energy sector.
Dr. Audrey Smock, the National Director of the National Development Planning Commission, said the policy was intended to fill in the gaps identified within the sector regarding effective gender mainstreaming.
She noted the different needs regarding men and women in the sector thus the summoning of different institutions to help shape the policy to meet contemporary needs.
“There should be implementation arrangement also to derive the best from the policy,” she said.
Dr. Smock said there were international and national frameworks for gender development and growth and described the Energy Commission draft as one in line with those protocols.
Dr. Rose Kutin, consultant on the project said ECOWAS protocols on energy promoted equal access to energy services just as other international and national protocols.
What must be done, she said, was the prioritisation of different needs, usage, business models and access among each gender.
She described the decision by the Energy Commission to develop a policy as marvellous and responsive intervention to improve upon the 2.2 percentage annual growth for women regarding energy, adding that there should not be any gender “blind” perspective to the subject matter.
She spoke on unconscious biases that have relegated women in the energy mix including Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and the need for consciousness in reversing the trend to ensure a balanced society.
Dr. Kutin, also noted the need for women to be deliberately engaged and their opinions on the Energy sector carefully integrated into national development priorities.
The review of the draft policy was jointly carried out by Dr. Kutin and Ms. Catherine Achuliwor for the Commission’s Board attention, critical analysis and improvement.
