The PRISTINE VET project has published its D2.1 Gender Analysis Report, providing an evidence-based assessment of the factors influencing women’s participation in technical and vocational education and training related to renewable energy in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Mauritania.
Developed within Work Package 2, “Promoting energy training among women,” the report examines the structural, economic, logistical and cultural barriers that continue to limit women’s access to technical education and emerging green employment opportunities.
Strong interest in renewable energy training
The analysis is based on data collected from 1,045 respondents, including 498 women, complemented by qualitative focus-group discussions.
One of the report’s most significant findings is the high level of interest among women in renewable energy education. Approximately 96% of surveyed women expressed an interest in enrolling in a three- to six-month renewable energy training programme, either immediately or subject to appropriate support conditions.
The results demonstrate that women’s limited participation in technical energy programmes is not caused by a lack of motivation or confidence. Instead, participation is constrained by interconnected barriers that affect access to training, regular attendance and successful completion.
Key barriers identified
The report highlights several priority challenges:
- training fees, transport expenses and the loss of income associated with attending courses;
- unpaid domestic work and childcare responsibilities;
- geographical distance from training centres and limited access to safe and affordable transport;
- insufficient information about available training and career opportunities;
- gender stereotypes and discouragement within technical learning environments;
- limited access to female trainers, mentors and professional role models.
The analysis also identifies important differences between the three participating countries. These findings confirm that gender-responsive measures must be adapted to local economic, social and geographical conditions rather than implemented through a uniform regional approach.
From analysis to practical action
The Gender Analysis Report provides a strategic framework that will guide the next stages of PRISTINE VET implementation.
The proposed measures include more flexible and modular training schedules, targeted scholarships and learner-support mechanisms, childcare and transport support, gender-responsive codes of conduct, community engagement, mentoring and stronger cooperation with renewable energy companies.
The report also recommends strengthening pathways between training, certification, employment and entrepreneurship. This includes practical work placements, cooperation with private-sector employers and access to equipment or starter kits that can help graduates establish small renewable energy businesses.
Supporting an inclusive green transition
Women already play a central role in household energy management and local economic activities across West Africa. However, their participation in formal technical education, renewable energy installation, maintenance and green entrepreneurship remains limited.
PRISTINE VET aims to help close this gap by modernising vocational education systems and creating training environments in which women can access relevant skills, complete recognised qualifications and participate in the growing green economy.
The publication of the Gender Analysis Report represents an important step towards ensuring that the regional energy transition is supported by a broader, more diverse and better-qualified workforce.
The full PRISTINE VET D2.1 Gender Analysis Report.
On French is available here.