What is Gender Equality and Social Inclusion?

Gender equality implies equality under the law, equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for people of every gender. In the energy sector, gender equality requires safe and equal access to resources and opportunities but also, being treated fairly and with dignity and being able to actively participate in decision-making processes. Gender equality also needs to consider equity issues, that is, the recognition that different people access opportunities in different circumstances.

Social inclusion is the process by which efforts are made to ensure equal opportunities – that everyone, regardless of their background, can achieve their full potential in life, and concerns those more vulnerable by reasons of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability status, generational group, geography, and origin.

Therefore, gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) can be the process to addresses unequal power relations experienced by people on the grounds of gender, ability, location, ethnicity, language and agency or a combination of these dimensions. It focuses on the need for action to rebalance these power relations in all levels

The context

In 2018, the Government of Mozambique approved the National Electrification Strategy to reach Universal Electricity Access by 2030. This project will expand on-grid and off-gridenergy infrastructure of Mozambique to 450,000 new connections/year; 20% is based on mini grids.

This means massive social change

But

Existing structures of discrimination may lead to certain social groups being excluded from the social and economic benefits of improved energy access.

If

Existing power asymmetries relating to energy access and distribution are not addressed early on by Green Mini Grids (GMGs) and Autonomous Energy Services (AES)

Get the seal

GESIS is applicable to all investors, contractors, and stakeholders in the offgrid energy sector, and more specifically to the operators of green mini grids (GMGs) and to the distributors of Autonomous Energy Services (AESs) in Mozambique. It has evolved through a consortium of national decision makers, civil society, and international partners. To know more about the seal and how you can get involved as an energy operator or other stakeholder. Apply now

Download our whitepaper

To learn more about GESIS in detail, you can download our whitepaper here Download