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Linking gender-sensitive enterprises and climate change mitigation

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to promote community businesses that are gender-sensitive and climate-responsive. These businesses are designed to meet the needs of both men and women, and they take into account the impacts of climate change. They are often at the forefront of innovation, developing new products and services that are tailored to the specific needs of their communities.

A wonderful example is the Solar Sister network, which operates in several African countries. Solar Sister trains and equips women to sell solar lanterns and other clean energy products in their communities. This network:

  • helps to provide access to clean energy for people who live in last-mile communities and do not have access to grid power, and
  • empowers women to become entrepreneurs and earn an income.

 

Case study

How women entrepreneurs are flipping the switch in Africa

In addition to providing jobs and goods, community businesses can also play a vital role in promoting social and environmental justice. By working with local communities, they can help to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to live a healthy and productive life. They can also help to protect the environment by using sustainable practices and promoting the use of renewable energy.

As the world faces increasing challenges, community businesses are becoming more and more important. By linking innovation to gender-sensitive and climate-responsive community businesses, we can create a better world for everyone.

Adapted from Newcomb, A. (2021, 19 August). How women entrepreneurs are flipping the switch in Africa. Mastercard.com. https://www.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2021/solar-sister-solar-power-in-africa/

Licence: Public domain news/Open access

 

Reading

Harris, S., & Abbott, K. (2018). Climate + women/ Climate Nexus report — The business case for action. Business for Social Responsibility (BSR). https://www.bsr.org/reports/BSR_Climate_Nexus_Women.pdf

Licence: Public domain report/Open access

Licence

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Creating Gender-Sensitive, Climate-Responsive, Sustainable Livelihoods to Build Self-Reliant, Resilient Local Economies Copyright © by Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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