On Tuesday 29th October 2024, Smiling Through Light held a webinar entitled ‘Empowering Women Through Financial Inclusion: The Impactful Role of PAYGo Solar Models.’
The webinar addressed the knowledge gaps regarding gender equity in PAYGo systems, emphasising the role of funders in advancing financial inclusion. It explored strategies to support a just energy transition by observing energy access from a gender lens, providing an overview of financial inclusion in Africa, identifying barriers to women's financial inclusion, and discussing the social and economic impacts of PAYGo Solar models.
The speakers provided an overview of data on PAYGo models, how the products and their digital systems work and the financial inclusion impact of PAYGo solar products on women.
*KEY TAKEAWAYS*
Investing in Women-Led and/ Locally-Owned companies is imperative as they often achieve higher customer satisfaction and impact.
More funding needed for Women-Led and/ Locally-Owned companies who play an essential role in the clean energy transition and have a great impact.
Investing in technology solutions can advance women's participation and advancement in a just energy transition.
Flexible payment options and financial education are valuable for increasing access and affordability for women.
Investing in training especially for Female Solar Technicians is essential.
Investing in research and impact data especially collection of sex-disaggregated data and monitoring gender-specific indicators in all energy and climate transition inventions, so that we know the gaps, and progress being made.
Creating an enabling energy policy and market environment that champions, gender equality, with pathways for women's individual and collective agency and participation, is necessary going beyond providing energy services and enlarging women's role in the energy supply chain.
If you missed the webinar, the recording can be seen here: https://youtu.be/xwdhDkpizbg
