THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced two new grant projects on International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023, valued at P37.9 million ($690,000) to support women’s involvement in energy resilience, innovation and security in the Philippines.
USAID Philippines deputy mission director Rebekah Eubanks awarded the Women in Energy Leadership, Innovation and Resilience grant to Diwata-Women in Resource Development Inc. and the Women Engineers Network of the Philippine Technological Council Inc. (PTC).
The award ceremony took place during the Women Champions in Sustainable Climate Solutions Forum, which was attended by over 100 women leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. The participants discussed climate change solutions.
Eubanks emphasized the interconnectedness of climate change and women’s empowerment.
“Women empowerment and climate change are two pressing issues of our time. They are inextricably intertwined,” Eubanks said.
“Climate change exacerbates gender inequalities and developmental gaps. Women have a unique perspective on these issues as they often bear the brunt of climate shocks and stresses,” she added.
The Diwata-Women in Resource Development Inc. received P29 million ($528,000) to expand its “Tanging Tanglaw: Turning IP Women into Solar Engineers” program. This program trains elderly women from indigenous communities to build and maintain solar-powered pump systems, electrifying their neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the PTC received P8.9 million ($162,000) to implement the “Women Engineers as Instruments for Sustainable Engineering in Renewable Energies (Wiser) Project,” aiming to increase the enrollment of girls in renewable energy engineering programs through mentoring, technical seminars, competitions and renewable energy campaigns in eight cities under the USAID Cities Development Initiative.
During the Women Champions in Sustainable Climate Solutions panel discussion, Engie Services Philippines general manager Louella Caridad highlighted the importance of opening management positions to women and giving them a voice in the energy transition.
“When we talk about sustainable operations, it is not just about transitioning to cleaner energy. It also means opening management positions to women and giving them a voice in the energy transition,” Caridad said.
The grant projects are part of USAID’s Energy Secure Philippines Activity, which aims to position women at the forefront of climate action and sustainable energy development, in line with its 2022-2030 Climate Strategy.