Moving Gender-Based Violence out of the Shadows

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Dominican Power Utility Moves GBV out of the Shadows

file icon(462k) Dominican Power Utility Moves GBV out of the Shadows

EDESUR, a Dominican Power Utility, is Working to End Gender-Based Violence

In recognition of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), representatives of EDESUR discuss efforts to combat GBV in the workplace.

USAID, through its Engendering Utilities program, is partnering with EDESUR to improve gender equality, increase women’s participation in the workforce, and reduce sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

EDESUR is a large power utility that provides electricity to more than 800,000 customers in the southern part of the Dominican Republic. Of their 3,290 employees, around 37 percent are women. The Dominican Republic has one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, and gender-based violence in the country is common. Recognizing the potential impact of gender-based violence and sexual harassment on the workforce, the utility created new policies and began using internal and external communication, training, and male-engagement strategies to raise awareness and combat GBV across the utility’s workforce and the country.

USAID’s Engendering Utilities program works with organizations in male-dominated industries to increase economic opportunities for women, improve gender equality, boost business performance, and strengthen economies. Through a customized best practices framework, demand-driven coaching, and a Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program, Engendering Utilities builds the capacity of leaders to implement gender equality interventions that increase the professional participation of women and meet their core business goals.

Launched in 2015, the Engendering Utilities program demonstrates USAID’s commitment to promote a path to self-reliance and resilience in developing countries by fostering enterprise-driven innovation, inclusive economic growth, and gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Engendering Utilities is a key activity under the U.S. Government’s Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative (W-GDP), which aims to reach 50 million women by 2025 through innovative and effective programs.

Date 
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 11:45am