ROLE OF WOMEN IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS TO BE REVIEWED AT UN-SPONSORED WORKSHOP IN ABIDJAN
Press Release
WOM/924
ROLE OF WOMEN IN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS TO BE REVIEWED AT UN-SPONSORED WORKSHOP IN ABIDJAN
19961108 The United Nations Department for Development Support and Management Services and the African Energy Programme of the African Development Bank are organizing a workshop on the role of women in sustainable energy development. It will take place in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire next week and will include technical presentations and discussions.The purpose of the meeting is to provide for an exchange of views on the technical, economic, social and environmental issues related to the participation of women in sustainable energy development efforts at the country level. The workshop will help to promote a change in attitudes and perceptions, contributing to a new approach in the development, management and utilization of energy, whereby women's needs and interests are taken into account, their contributions fully recognised, and their participation enhanced.
It will aim to identify those energy technologies mainly used by women and those which could contribute to the improvement of their condition. It will also identify ways in which the participation of women in the development, management and utilization of energy, particularly new and renewable sources of energy, could be improved. Finally, it will identify the major constraints to the integration of gender issues in energy planning and policies.
The workshop will also discuss the importance of financing schemes and credit mechanisms in providing women with access to capital for the development of sustainable energy systems. It will also examine the feasibility of establishing a network on women and energy in Africa, perhaps linked to other existing networks.
The meeting will be attended by specialists from developing countries engaged in various disciplines related to energy and/or environmental protection. Representatives from various bilateral and multilateral development agencies and banks will also be invited. The working languages for the three- day meeting -- from 11-13 November -- will be English and French.
Further information available from: Kui-Nang Mak, Chief, Energy Management Branch, UN/DDSMS, New York. Tel: 212-963-8799; fax: 212-963-4340.
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