According to the First Lady of Kenya, Her Excellency Rachel Ruto, Women all over the world played and are still playing vital roles in steering the world to the development and use of clean energy.
Speaking at KICC where the Africa Climate summit entered its second day, the First Lady of Kenya terms the vital roles as Keys to a sustainable future across Africa and the world at large.
“Their engagement transcends environmental preservation. It is a catalyst for fostering social and economic equity.” Mrs Ruto insisted
About 31.3 million Kenyans are estimated to use charcoal and firewood as their primary source of cooking energy according to the 2019 population and housing census in Kenya. The statistics are also said to have been the cause of at least 23,000 deaths of Kenyans annually due to in-house air pollution.
Her Excellency further worried that the over-dependence on solid sources of cooking energy such as firewood increases deforestation putting at risk the people and continents tree covers. Women and children are said to bear the greatest health burden from daily technological and fuel pollution as they spend more time exposed to these pollutants.
“Women in Africa stand as formidable agents of change in the journey towards an energy transition for a sustainable future.”
Kenya’s First Lady insisted that Women’s contribution extends beyond environmental preservation thus recognizing and supporting the diverse roles they undertake in advancing clean and sustainable energy sources in the continent is of importance.