A major regional initiative is working to address the gender imbalance in Southern Africa's renewable heating and cooling sector through targeted programmes aimed at empowering women in traditionally male-dominated technical roles.
The Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative Plus (SOLTRAIN+), funded by the Austrian Development Agency, is expanding renewable heating and cooling efforts across five countries: Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The project has established a dedicated gender and diversity work stream led by a team comprising 90% women, including three core members and seven Gender Managers.
Addressing critical skills gap
The initiative comes as the Southern African Development Community region, despite enjoying some of the world's highest solar irradiation levels, remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels for energy needs. Currently, energy contributes over 50% of carbon emissions in the region, with electricity, cooking, heating and cooling systems predominantly relying on non-renewable sources.
A situational analysis conducted by the project surveyed 103 renewable heating and cooling professionals – 80% of whom were women – examining gender equality indicators and energy sector dynamics across the five participating countries. The research revealed significant disparities, with women's participation in technical roles varying from just 3% to 37% depending on organisation size.
Overcoming structural barriers
The survey identified several key obstacles preventing greater female participation in the sector, including limited awareness of opportunities, lack of mentoring and training programmes, and entrenched social norms. These barriers are particularly significant given that over 35% of households in SOLTRAIN+ countries are female-led, with women serving as sole providers, yet female labour force participation and women-owned business prevalence remain low.
Participants in the research highlighted equal opportunity policies, capacity building, and networking as preferred measures to support greater female involvement in the renewable energy sector.
Comprehensive implementation strategy
The SOLTRAIN+ gender and diversity component has developed a strategic action plan targeting 80 multipliers and hundreds of beneficiaries by the end of 2026. The programme integrates gender considerations across all project phases, from capacity building and energy audits to demonstration systems, research activities, and bursary support.
Each gender manager will develop a strategic network spanning NGOs, policymakers, private sector actors, government bodies, donor agencies, and educational and financial institutions to strengthen gender mainstreaming efforts across the renewable heating and cooling sector.
The initiative includes mentorship programmes, peer learning sessions, and hands-on engagement opportunities designed to create what organisers describe as "a safe and dynamic space where women and young talents can grow, experiment, and lead change –together."
Monitoring progress and impact
The project employs both quantitative and qualitative indicators to assess impact and empowerment, with monitoring and evaluation activities planned throughout the 2024-2026 implementation period. Built-in flexibility allows for continuous feedback and adaptive learning to ensure maximum resource effectiveness and inclusive impact.
Early findings from the programme highlight persistent challenges, including a gap in women's ability to fully benefit from demonstration funding, which has been identified as a priority for the final year of implementation. The research also emphasises the importance of involving men in gender dialogues and shared responsibility for advancing equity in the sector.
The SOLTRAIN+ project website provides additional resources, including educational videos, national roadmaps in solar heating and cooling, information on demonstration systems, bursary opportunities, and training programmes for those interested in the renewable energy sector.