Today Society for Women and Youths Affairs, (SWAYA) engaged women from the three Senatorial districts of Rivers State in a Summit tagged: “Energy Transition Summit” to mark the Afrika Vuka Day 2026: Theme: “ENERGY AFFORDABILITY” we enlightened them by way of Amplifying Women Voices for Renewable Energy. With support from 350.Africa, Green Grant Funds and Afrika Vuka Network
We had women from all over as speakers both online and in person, Dr Amanie Stella ED SWAYA welcomed participants to the Summit as she emphasized that the sector not closed to women rather the tools, the funding, and the networks are starting to shift. That Women Women should use the summit to ask the hard questions, make the connections, and claim your space in the renewable energy sector.
To our partners and government leaders she said the best solutions will come from the women who live with the energy problem every day so they should back them with more than applause and back them with capital, contracts, and trust.
The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Emem Okon, ED, of Kabethkache Women development and resource Centre who was ably represented by Dr Confidence. Several Speakers including Prof. María José Lubertino President of the Citizens’ Association for Human Rights, Argentina (CBD Women Caucus),
Deepali Atul Deokar of Exploring Womanhood Foundation, India (CBD Women Caucus) and
Dr. Isimemen Osemwegie
Senior researcher Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland (CBD Women Caucus) from Nigeria and other great line up of panelists dissecting different topics and demanding for a Gender inclusive Energy Transition as the world glamors to move away from Fossil fuels.
Asking for funding for women-led clean energy startups, training programs that meet women where they are, and procurement policies that open doors to female contractors and engineers.
1.Access – How do we get clean, reliable, affordable energy into homes and businesses led by women across Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Bonny, and beyond?
2. Ownership – How do we move women from being end-users to being investors, entrepreneurs, and technical experts in solar, gas, biogas, and emerging renewables?
3. Opportunity– How do we use this shift to create jobs, skills, and capital pathways that close the gender gap in STEM and energy?
These and many questions we’re asking on behalf of women around the world.
Participants left with a shared commitment: to push for gender-responsive policies, social inclusion and governance systems where women are not merely represented, but involved in decision making, their voices heard, and women are empowered especially in the Energy future of our beloved Africa. Because when inclusion is centred, justice becomes possible.
