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wPOWER helps Promotes Women’s Critical Role in Clean Energy Solutions to Climate Change
WASHINGTON – In honor of Gender Day” at the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP-19), the United States is highlighting its actions to harness the potential of women and women’s networks to increase the use of clean energy technologies, which in turn helps reduce climate change. The Department of State launched the Partnership on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Renewables (“wPOWER”) in January 2013. wPOWER aims to empower more than 8,000 women clean energy entrepreneurs across East Africa, Nigeria and India who will deliver clean energy access to more than 3.5 million people over the next three years.
To reach this goal, the Department of State and USAID have teamed up with the MacArthur Foundation, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, CARE International, Solar Sister, Swayam Shikshan Prayog and the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies.
Globally, more than 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity, and at least 2.7 billion people lack access to clean cookstoves and fuels. While not the primary source of climate pollution, inefficient lighting and cooking contribute to climate change and the degradation of natural resources. In off-grid communities, women are the primary users of clean technologies like solar lamps and clean cookstoves and are at the forefront of adopting the use of new technologies. wPOWER is working to unlock this largely untapped potential of women and women’s groups to help fill the “last mile” gap in the supply chain to reach areas lacking energy access.
Recent wPOWER accomplishments include:
• Launch of wPOWER Hub at Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies (WMI): The Department of State, together with parallel support from the MacArthur Foundation, has created a wPOWER Hub at the WMI, founded by the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. The new wPOWER Hub will build the evidence base on women, energy access and climate solutions; hold train the trainer workshops; facilitate African and Indian women entrepreneur and leadership exchanges to build a network of women climate leaders, and build public awareness.
New Strategic Partners:
• Women for Women International (WfWI): WfWI provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency. WfWI will work with wPOWER partners to begin offering a clean energy entrepreneurship vocational track to the women who are part of its program in Nigeria.
• Green Belt Movement-Kenya (GBM): Professor Wangari Maathai’s GBM pioneered a community-based tree-planting approach that put women at the forefront of environmental stewardship. By partnering with some of GBM’s 4,000 community groups, we will expand wPOWER networks of women clean energy entrepreneurs and introduce new livelihood opportunities to GBM’s grassroots women leaders.
WASHINGTON – In honor of “Gender Day” at the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP-19), the United States is highlighting its actions to harness the potential of women and women’s networks to increase the use of clean energy technologies, which in turn helps reduce climate change.
The Department of State launched the Partnership on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Renewables (“wPOWER”) in January 2013. wPOWER aims to empower more than 8,000 women clean energy entrepreneurs across East Africa, Nigeria and India who will deliver clean energy access to more than 3.5 million people over the next three years.
To reach this goal, the Department of State and USAID have teamed up with the MacArthur Foundation, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, CARE International, Solar Sister, Swayam Shikshan Prayog and the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies.
Globally, more than 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity, and at least 2.7 billion people lack access to clean cookstoves and fuels. While not the primary source of climate pollution, inefficient lighting and cooking contribute to climate change and the degradation of natural resources. In off-grid communities, women are the primary users of clean technologies like solar lamps and clean cookstoves and are at the forefront of adopting the use of new technologies. wPOWER is working to unlock this largely untapped potential of women and women’s groups to help fill the “last mile” gap in the supply chain to reach areas lacking energy access.
Recent wPOWER accomplishments include:
• Launch of wPOWER Hub at Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace & Environmental Studies (WMI): The Department of State, together with parallel support from the MacArthur Foundation, has created a wPOWER Hub at the WMI, founded by the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. The new wPOWER Hub will build the evidence base on women, energy access and climate solutions; hold train the trainer workshops; facilitate African and Indian women entrepreneur and leadership exchanges to build a network of women climate leaders, and build public awareness.
New Strategic Partners:
• Women for Women International (WfWI): WfWI provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency. WfWI will work with wPOWER partners to begin offering a clean energy entrepreneurship vocational track to the women who are part of its program in Nigeria.
• Green Belt Movement-Kenya (GBM): Professor Wangari Maathai’s GBM pioneered a community-based tree-planting approach that put women at the forefront of environmental stewardship. By partnering with some of GBM’s 4,000 community groups, we will expand wPOWER networks of women clean energy entrepreneurs and introduce new livelihood opportunities to GBM’s grassroots women leaders.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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