Equality for Women in Gonaives – Clean Energy and Waste Management

Global Affairs Canada financed a waste collection and management project in Gonaives, Haiti. The project was implemented by Biothermica, a local partner already involved in waste collection in Gonaives, in partnership with Bioénergie Haïti (BEH). Biothermica partnered with Econoler to benefit from its expertise in the field of energy and how it relates to social inclusion and gender equality to ensure that a gender perspective was included in the project. The main objective was to establish a strategy to mitigate existing inequalities between women/girls and men/boys in the waste collection sector.

Under this mandate, Econoler carried out the following tasks:

• Conducted a gender-based benchmarking assessment. The first phase of the project consisted of collecting gender equality data by reviewing existing literature and carrying out a field mission. Econoler met with all key actors in the value chain (households, actors from the formal and informal sectors, policy decision-makers, etc.). The following indicators were measured for both women and men: The role of gender in the value chain (including households); the distribution of low-income and high-income jobs in the value chain; the impacts of formalizing the waste sector; the level of exposure to health risks linked to waste; and more.

• Developed equality and diversity tools for BEH. Econoler conducted an internal analysis of the BEH organizational structure to evaluate the power dynamics between women and men, gender representation in the hierarchy, as well as roles and duties. Based on these data, Econoler developed equality and diversity tools such as a hiring program and code of conduct.

• Prepared and delivered online training on gender equality for the civil society.

• Provided ad hoc recommendations on the development and structure of external programs to be implemented by BEH, including the establishment of a gender-sensitive hiring program for vulnerable persons living near an uncontrolled landfill in the community. Econoler also supported BEH in organizing awareness-raising programs related to sound waste management and training intended for officials at city hall.

In accordance with Global Affairs Canada requirements and the Feminist International Assistance Policy of Canada, this mandate and approach served to not only ensure that a gender perspective was considered throughout the process of implementing the waste collection and management project, but also contributed to improving the gender equality situation in Gonaives.