In most parts of the world, inequalities affect women in various forms, hitting rural women the hardest. Understanding power dynamics and relationships rooted and embedded within the African continent and how culture plays a pivotal role in the oppression and discrimination of women is crucial. 

Ordinarily, in the African context, a woman’s place is “in the kitchen”; this means that a woman is limited to household duties. This place is especially true for rural women as they are typically constrained and limited to the household. Society expects them to run the household smoothly and effortlessly; any activity outside the household creates tension.

However, due to globalization, more organizations, companies, businesses, and governments have taken the initiative to remove the shackles of women’s societal responsibilities that are solely limited to the household. 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Inspire Inclusion”. 

This theme highlights the importance of inclusion in reaching gender equality goals. It urges us to dismantle obstacles, confront stereotypes, and cultivate spaces where every woman feels valued and respected. “Inspire Inclusion” motivates us to appreciate women’s distinct insights and contributions from diverse backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented and marginalized communities. 

“Inspire Inclusion” emphasizes diversifying leadership and decision-making roles, acknowledging that women, particularly from marginalized groups, often encounter obstacles in accessing these positions. Promoting inclusivity enables tapping into diverse viewpoints and enhancing innovation and decisions.

Key to this effort are education and awareness, which empower women through mentorship, workshops, and advocacy. Such initiatives offer women the tools and support to surmount challenges and realize their potential.

Solar Sister connects women’s entrepreneurship and access to clean energy to build a sustainable future and a more equitable planet.

Solar Sister recruits, trains, and supports women entrepreneurs in last-mile communities in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya to sell solar and clean energy products. When women in these last-mile areas connect to Solar Sister’s unique community-driven model, they become the infrastructure needed to electrify communities left behind by top-down energy investment.

Solar Sister has invested in women’s enterprises in off-grid communities, deliberately creating a woman-centered network of entrepreneurs to bring clean energy technology to even the most remote communities in rural Africa, where clean energy is needed more than ever. Solar Sister entrepreneurs’ work contributes directly to nine of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals.

67% of women Solar Sister entrepreneurs have taken on more responsibilities at home and in their communities this year, advancing gender equity in their communities.

Solar Sister provides solutions that offer sustainability initiatives through engaging with diverse women who ordinarily originate from remote, hard-to-reach, and underserved communities, the last-mile communities. 

These are last-mile communities because they lack access to grid power, low-income, and remote geographical locations. These areas are heavily impoverished, and the standard of living is below the poverty datum line. 

Solar Sister ensures that women are trained and equipped with competitive, robust business skills that foster their resilience, recognition, and empowerment at the household, community, and societal levels to show their commitment to thoughtful inclusivity in their work. 

This support leverages their entrepreneurship by providing a codified business model essential for launching their clean energy business and sustaining their lives.

Women in rural areas, in particular, work longer hours for less pay. They are more than three times less likely to become entrepreneurs than men. Decision-making power is associated with better health and improved livelihoods. Yet, a significant gender gap remains in women’s access to decision-making and leadership.

Over 84% of Solar Sister entrepreneurs in 2023 reported being financially better off than 12 months ago.

Solar Sister works with the most vulnerable populations in its operating areas. Solar Sister’s women-led initiative reaches even the most challenging areas, including conflict zones and disaster-stricken regions, by offering specialized support like start-up capital, digital tools, transportation, and mentorship to include diverse groups such as internally displaced persons and women with disabilities.

Our African teams are members of the communities they serve, helping build the deep relationships and trust needed for meaningful and lasting impact. Through our local teams, we place in the hands of the people we serve the power to choose the products and services that provide them the most value and to be in charge of their energy freedom and prosperity.

Solar Sister meets women where they are, training and supporting women of all ages and circumstances.

Feature Photo: Idongesit Effiong, a single mom and business owner in Uyo, Nigeria.

Written by Joanna B. Pinneo, Communications Manager, and Linda Mtare, Solar Sister Development Intern based in Harare, Zimbabwe. She is also a registered and qualified Social Worker with practical experience in research, policy, grant proposal writing, donor reporting, and youth advocacy.