In 2020, a gender-based violence and harassment allegation was reported within a renewable-energy project. Immediate steps were taken to address the matter. A specialist external consultant conducted a rapid assessment to establish clarity around the situation, after which a permanent Gender Inclusion Specialist, Grace Kaonga, was appointed to implement the project’s Gender Action Plan.
Experience grounded in human rights
Grace brought extensive experience in human rights and in multicultural and cross-cultural working environments. Her professional background included serving as a Gender and Women Human Rights Officer at the Malawi Human Rights Commission, where she played a critical role in developing the Gender Equality Act implementation and monitoring plan between 2016 and 2020.
Continuous professional development
In 2021, Grace completed a Certificate of Excellence in Regulation for Sustainable Development Goal 7 through the Enel Foundation. She also completed training through the Re-Skilling Lab on the value chain of renewable-energy decentralised systems at the Micro-grid Academy.
At the time of the feature, she was undertaking an MSc in Energy Policy at the University of Sussex and participating as a mentee in Women in Renewable Energy in Africa through the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition and the International Finance Corporation.
A practical model for inclusion
The case demonstrates that gender inclusion requires more than policy statements. It calls for clear action plans, specialist capacity, responsive safeguarding systems and long-term monitoring. When these elements are embedded in project delivery, renewable-energy development can become safer, more inclusive and more beneficial to the communities it serves.
This article is adapted from the supplied “Grace Kaonga: Pioneering Gender Inclusion” case-study graphic.