GEWNet

The Gender Energy and Water Network (GEWNet) was established in Nepal as an output of the National Consultative Workshop held in August 2002.

Gender, Energy and Water Network (GEWNet)is a national networking initiative in Nepal as a “knowledge platform” engaged in the lobby, advocacy and knowledge sharing on energy, water and gender issues. GEWNet was established as an output of the National Consultative Workshop held in August 2002 where Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal (CRT/N) had been unanimously nominated by the forum to host GEWNet. It was initiated with support from International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy (ENERGIA), the Netherlands.

GEWNet’s main objective is to see transformational change in society where gender inequality in energy and water through behavioral, policy and legal, and development initiatives. GEWNet also takes women’s economic empowerment as the means to sustain gender equality in society through advocacy for green and inclusive energy for sustainable development in Nepal. GEWNet seeks to promote gender equality through raising awareness on importance of gender, energy and water nexus going hand in hand, lobbying and advocating for policy influencing to mainstream GESI into energy and water sector.

GEWNet is currently hosted by Centre for Rural Technology (CRT/N), a non-state actor engaged in the field of rural technology and energy promotion for overall rural development. CRT/N feels privileged to be a hosting and championing organization for GEWNet initiatives supported by its members, local, national and international partners such as ENERGIA/Hivos.

It’s been 18 years that CRT/N has been hosting GEWNet which held various workshops/ interactive meetings and expert presentations on gender mainstreaming in water and energy initiatives acting as First Resource Centre in the years 2004/05. It has prepared National Paper on “Prospects and challenges on gender mainstreaming in the energy sector for achieving MDG” and initiated training on Gender Audit and Gender Tools Testing in Improved Water Mill Programme.

With the active role of GEWNet, CRT/N became Asia Regional Secretariat (ARS) of ENERGIA in 2007/08 and utilizing the funding prepared a paper on GESI in the same year. In 2009/10, the network advocated for Gender Sensitive Energy Policy in Nepal through Training on Capacity Enhancement of Rural Women and Entrepreneurship and in 2011. GEWNet started to support students’ thesis through resources and internships. It also assisted in the formulation of a strategy for mainstreaming gender in rural energy policies in Nepal.

From 2016 to August 2020, GEWNet has been actively involved as a Programme partner of Green and Inclusive Energy Program (GIE) to support achieving its objectives by promoting, sharing and organizing awareness and lobby and advocacy-related activities in collaboration with GIE programme partner organizations.
GEWNet’s Strategic Plan has recently been formulated with support from GIE Program to strengthen GEWNet’s programs and activities with new vision and priorities in the changed context from 2020/21 and onwards.

BELIEFS
Women are the most affected section in society when it comes to energy and water resource management. Therefore, optimal decisions are possible only if it is made by the affected section of society who are enriched with knowledge.

VISION
A knowledge-sharing platform for promoting evidence-based lobby and advocacy for gender-responsive development of energy and water sector in Nepal.

MISSION
Promoting women’s proportionate role in decision making in energy and water management

OBJECTIVE
» Create an effective network platform (for knowledge sharing, promotion and collaboration)
» Achieve evidence to establish a firm evidence-based influential system for Gender inclusivity awareness/Action in energy and water sector
» Sensitize and enhance the capacity of network and network members and target groups on gender issues.
» Social and economic empowerment of women based on commercial and social enterprise development through supporting and initiating research, workshops and Campaigns.

GEWNET AT A GLANCE
1. What is GEWNet?
National Network that lobby and advocates gender equality in the energy and water sector based on evidence. Provides a platform for knowledge exchange.

2. Who are GEWNet?
Organizations and individuals that are active in addressing gender issues in the energy, and water sectors.

3. Where does GEWNEt function?
The network works at the national, provincial, and local levels.

4. Why was GEWNet established?
GEWNet was created to influence change in decisions making, in the energy and water sector that are made with the least involvement of women who bears the most burden. Enhance the role of women in planning and decision making and strengthen the capability of women through knowledge enrichment.

DESIRED RESULTS
Improved women’s agency, self-reliance, and well-being with equal access to economic resources and social benefits

ORGANIZATION MODALITY
Members of GEWNet is loosely organised through frequent knowledge-sharing activities. The executive committee of the GEWNet is responsible for approving and managing funds for networks activities. The Secretariat of GEWNet implements the decisions of the executive committee. Executive committee can seek advice when deemed necessary from an advisory committee of the senior and experienced personnel from Gender, energy and water sector. 

MEMBERSHIP
GEWNet members are a diverse set of national and local actors committed to collectively promoting and advancing the need to address Gender issues in the Energy and Water Sector. Members contribute to and benefit from GEWNet working groups, gatherings, and knowledge resources. Interested institutions and individuals can be part of this network by joining the network as an institution or individual member.