Promoting Gender Responsiveness in ASEAN-German Energy Programme (AGEP)

AGEP promotes the development of the project with gender-responsive approaches. It is crucial that AGEP is not missing on the opportunity to grow any talents, including woman representative.

For years, AGEP, a jointly implemented programme by ACE and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has been taking essential roles in energy development in the ASEAN region. The project encourages the importance of women in the energy sector, including both in the small household items such as the use of cooking fuel and in the development of the energy sector as a top decision-maker.

To AGEP, gender equality means that we are making sure that men and women have the same opportunity at the workplace. The operation of gender balance has been successfully shown in the participation data, as the woman showed an active role of 42% in all AGEP Phase I workshops, training, and events throughout 2016-2019. Continuing the success of its previous programme in promoting the gender-balanced approach, AGEP phase II plans to increase the number of women participations. Not only in workshops and events, AGEP Phase II is also committed to providing and implementing training for the future development of gender balance, especially on its daily practices at the workplace.

To me, implementing gender equality approaches at working places is important, because it includes everyone’s perspectives, such as in our project decision-making processes. My working experience in development agencies has enlightened me that everyone, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, etc. is exceptionally unique with their capabilities. By treating everyone equally, a project can grasp 360° views better, thus mitigate risks for achieving its goals. “- Junianto M, Advisor of AGEP II shared his view on gender lens. 

Together with the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), AGEP also promotes gender responsiveness approach across the ASEAN region. The positive action is shown in the statement by Dr Tharinya Supasa, Senior Analyst at the ASEAN Centre for Energy:

“In AGEP, the gender-mixed team can foster harmonisation to the working vibe. Men and women are motivated to do the same work, receive the same opportunity, responsibility, and appreciation in internal and public. Our AGEP’s goal is to deliver masterpieces of work with a joyful experienced team.”- Dr Tharinya Supasa, Senior Analyst of AGEP II shared her view on gender lens. 

Dr Supasa also addressed the importance of gender mainstreaming in the energy sector. To her, strengthening renewable energy deployment to achieve 100% energy access goal in ASEAN, requires men and women. To educate women in the last-mile area about the household solar system can create direct and indirect jobs, generates more incomes to their family, and better society’s quality of life.

AGEP believes in the integration of gender issues into the project’s planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, so the risks of gender discrimination, such as ineffectiveness and less synergy in working environment and disadvantage can be minimised. Furthermore, significant potentials for making a positive contribution to overcoming gender-based discrimination can also be identified during the implementation of the project. (HM/KF)

 

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