WORKSHOP REPORT Gender, Energy and ... - ENERGIA Africa

Although, the BPC gender mainstreaming in rural electrification project achieved most of
its targets, there were areas that highlighted problems. First, BPC has never engaged in a
gender sensitization process, thus a desk-shopping process was used to understand staff’s
gender awareness level. The outcomes showed relatively minimal understand of gender
issues and their relatedness to energy issues. Secondly, the BPC application process does
not provide gender specific data on product preference. Lastly, Botswana Power
Corporation intends to reduce connection costs however, this has not achieved and it is
under review at the EAD.
3.2 Discussions on the BPC Gender Mainstreaming: Rural Electrification Project
Participants wanted to understand how BPC is making its service accessible and
affordable to all. Mrs Kealotswe was requested to explain BPC’s poverty eradication
strategy.
In response, Mrs. Kealotswe reported to the group that there are existing opportunities at
BPC on its gender mainstreaming process; subsiding connection charges to women;
paternity leave for fathers and encouraging sub-contractors to hire women are some of
the ideas that may be included into the corporations procedures. Furthermore, she
reported on the benchmarking process the corporation is undertaking under the Public,
Private Partnership (PPP), with Solar Hart as a means to provide other alternative energy
source.
Participants also wanted to know how BPC in view of the link between energy and
climate change intends to empower people in the rural areas and those who are
disadvantaged. Mrs Kealotswe responded by describing an existing projects such as
BPC-Lesedi, a project that intends to focus on renewable energy; the Hot Bag
technology , in which the user cooks food half way through and insert them in the bag
which then completes the cooking thus reducing fuel consumption. In addition, there is a
stove that can be used with minimal energy use. In empowering those in the rural areas,
BPC franchises would be awarded to individuals living in that particular village, and
nobody would be allowed to cross villages to provide services. Finally, BPC is
rethinking training of individuals in relation to electricity connections and in future plans
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