INITIATIVE FOR GENDER DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Mission

Initiative for Gender Development and Capacity Building (IGDCB) works with women at the grassroot level. IGDCB is accredited to UNDESA as a partner. IGDCB partners with organizations working towards women's socio-economic empowerment including: micro-entreprise development, micro-saving and micro-credit; environmental protection; access to clean water and durable housing; and dissemination of technological knowledge. Currently IGDCB has over 600 women members, the majority of whom are based in the rural areas. The current energy saving method in use includes heat retention baskets and solar cooking, however, a lot of work remains. Respiratory diseases related to smoke affect women and children disproportionately, hence women are always seeking efficient methods that are clean and affordable. Moreover, the growing rural populations, reduction in land sizes and the effects of global warming, compound the increased need for dissemination of alternative sources of energy.

Organization Type Non-Governmental Organization

Contact Information

Primary Contact
Ms. Wanjiru Gichuhi
Secondary Contact
Dr. Michael Kinuthia

Address P.O. BOX 19983
Nairobi, Nairobi
00202
Kenya
Website
Phone +254712848759
Fax
Calling/Fax Instructions

Our Focus

Primary Initiatives, Target Populations, and Scope of Work:

We seek partnership with organizations with the resources and technology to work with us in order to expand and maintain rural women's access to clean energy. To change the culture of the people, there is a need for consistency. Hence, introduction of technology is not a one off activity. Maintaining the momentum requires frequent training and forums with the targeted community. IGDCB is well placed to provide the forum because of the existing partnership with the rural women on micro-enterprise development, micro-savings and micro-credit activities.

Fuels/Technologies: Solar
Other
Heat Retention Baskets, wood and charcoal conservation Jikos,
Sectors of Experience: Behavior Change
Education
Environment
Gender
Health
Rural Development
Small Business
Microenterprise Business Development
Countries of Operation: Kenya

Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas

Social/Cultural barriers to using traditional fuels and stoves:

Increased women's gender roles, ever growing rural and urban populations, deforestation, draught and famine are key factors to the need for alternative energy options. These factors have made it easy for the penetration of several clean energy technologies with few social barriers.


Market development for improved cooking technologies:

Alternative clean energy including clean cook stoves, biogas, solar energy reach many homes and subsequently increased demand opens up commercial markets. Various entrepreneurs are trained in order to satisfy the market.


Technology standardization for cooking, heating and ventilation:

IGDCB will work with the Kenya Bureau of Standards in order to ensure that the clean energy technologies do not emit dangerous gases to the detriment of the health of the users. Furthermore, IGDCB will work closely with partners in the field of clean energy technology development and constantly seek advisory services.


Indoor air pollution exposure and health monitoring:

During project design, IGDCB will use a log-frame as a monitoring tool. SMART indicators will be developed to monitor the implementation process and also to monitor the women's physical well-being.

Relevant Publications or Studies

Clinical Health Scientific Papers, Micro-finance Research publications, Women Empowerment Research Papers.

Our Contribution to the Partnership

IGDCB will be an active partcipant in community mobilization, resource mobilization, sharing information, best practices, project design, implementation and monitoring activities, organization of trainings and knowledge dissemination forums, with clients and partners. For sustainability and political support, IGDCB will work with community leaders, administration and women's group key persons to campaign and reverse the traditional practices.