Gender audits provided in-depth analysis of energy planning, budgets and the institutional capacity of ministries to implement gender-mainstreaming strategies. These audits were carried out under the ‘Turning Information into Empowerment: Strengthening Gender and Energy Networking in Africa (TIE-ENERGIA)’ project implemented within the framework of ENERGIA Africa, with co-funding from the European Union, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS).

TIE-ENERGIA was the first project to develop and undertake gender audits of energy policies in three African countries: Botswana, Kenya and Senegal. The audits were used as a tool to identify and analyze the factors that hinder efforts to mainstream gender in energy policy. The audits analyzed energy statistics, communication channels, energy policy and development strategies, as well as the objectives and priorities of key institutions.

Gender audits represented a unique opportunity for ENERGIA to directly engage with decision makers based on actual data. This led to a live interaction between the network’s community of professionals and policy makers and planners on the ground.