WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

Interview with Ms. Wanjiru Wainaina

Interview by Ms Silpa Kanghono (Coordinator: Digital Marketing and Events- RDJ Consulting)

TheJustEnergyTransition(JET)hasremainedahottopic in Africa for some time now, as the continent strives to jointheworldinthefightagainstclimatechange,while ensuring that its people are not left at a disadvantage in the process

The JET is a transition from carbon-emitting fuels to low-carbon or clean energy technologies Not only does JET ensure a sustainable supply, but it also creates opportunities for employment, while promoting social justice and poverty eradication Inlightofthiswhichalignswellwiththethemeofthis month’sPublication,wehadaninterestingconversationwithMs Wanjiru Wainaina, a legal practitioner who is enthusiastic about JET

Personal

Ms. Wanjiru Wainaina is an ambitious 22-year-old scholar from Nairobi, Kenya, who has recently completed her final year at the University of Nairobi School of Law, and is now awaiting graduation. She is also a trained and qualified International Mediatorwhoispassionateaboutresearch,withakeeninterestin the fields of energy, climate change, digital rights, intellectual property law, international trade and investment, alternative disputeresolution,democracyandgovernance.

Inadditiontoherintellectualpursuits,Ms.Wanjirufindsimmense joy and fulfillment in spending quality time with children and in mentorship. Driven by her genuine love for nurturing young minds, Wanjiru actively co-founded the Outliers Mentorship program for children which aims at providing guidance and mentorshiptochildrenbyhelpingthemunlocktheirfullpotential and navigate the challenges they face Through her involvement inthisprogram,shestrivestoempowerchildrenwithknowledge, skills, and confidence, contributing to their personal growth and development Theprogram’staglineis“lovehasgoteverythingto dowithit”#DoitforLove

WhatmotivatedyoutochooseLaw?

“To be quite honest, I did not always desire to get into the legal field, I thought I would get into STEM Although I did qualify for STEM courses, my mentors and parents encouraged me to consider pursuing a career in Humanities and Social Sciences as they could see that my passion and talents were more aligned in that regard I eventually ended up choosing law because I was intrigued by the broad knowledge, I could immerse myself into since law cuts across all fields I have truly enjoyed my time in law school and along the way discovered an interest in research which has allowed me to delve into STEM related legal research as well ” Ms.Wanjiruresponded.

Howdoyouthinksocietycanhelpgirlsandwomenachievetheir dreamsinthelawandenergysectors?

Ms Wanjiru says we need to acknowledge that the society cannot thrive without the full and equal participation of women “In the words of Dr Margaret Ogolla, “a home (society) without a daughter is like a river without a source ” Women and girls play a central role in the growth and continuity of the society therefore the society should consult women on decisions pertaining to the creation of laws and energy policies and further afford them with equal opportunities to spearhead sustainable development in the energy sector ”

Shecontinues, “training and education in the legal and energy fields should be made easily accessible to girls and women across Africa We need to continue to share more authentic stories of female trailblazers in the energy and legal fields to encourage more young girls to embrace their ambitions and pursue successful careers in these sectors ”

How can legal frameworks support the integration of decentralized and off-grid renewable energy solutions to addressenergyaccesschallengesinremoteareasofAfrica?

“A comprehensive legal and regulatory framework that encourages investment, fosters innovation, ensures sustainability, and fosters cooperation among various stakeholders is necessary to integrate decentralized and off-grid renewable energy solutions to address energy access challenges in remote areas of Africa The legal frameworks should define the rights, obligations, and processes for decentralized and off-grid energy initiatives in a clear and transparent regulatory environment Furthermore, the licensing procedures should be simplified to expedite the processes for renewable energy projects in remote areas which will encourage developers to invest in off-grid solutions Importantly, legal frameworks should establish safety standards to promote high quality solutions that will protect consumers and encourage highly effective innovations ” respondedMs Wanjiru

What role do you think the legal system plays in promoting energyaccessandaffordabilityforunderservedcommunities intheAfricanContinentduringtheenergytransition?

Ms. Wanjiru says: “I think that broadly, the legal system is the vehicle that drives every human activity under the sun More narrowly in the African Continent and during the energy transition, a well-designed legal framework is essential for creating an enabling environment that supports energy access and affordability for underserved communities Such a framework must balance the interests of various stakeholders while promoting sustainable and inclusive development The legal system can ensure that policies prioritize equitable distribution of energy resources, protect consumer rights, and facilitate community engagement in energy projects ”

How do you see the legal and regulatory challenges that African Countries face in transitioning their energy systems towardscleanerandmoresustainablesources?

“Many African countries lack comprehensive and coherent policies and regulations to support the transition to cleaner energy sources They also struggle with limited financial resources to implement the proposed changes towards a just energy transition Several countries continue to grapple with political and economic instability that discourages developers from investing in renewable energy projects in the affected countries I agree that to overcome these challenges, we need all hands-on deck Governments, international investors, private sectors, and local communities should collaborate to create legal and regulatory solutions that will smoothen the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources” SaidMs Wanjiru

In conclusion, what advice would you give women hoping to followinyourcareerfootsteps?

“I would tell them what I keep reminding myself; Be audacious! You have what it takes to follow your dreams, don’t let fear hold you back, do it afraid! The journey might not be linear, but it will be worthwhile so start with a single step and keep stepping up As Winston Churchill put it, “Success is not final, and failure is not fatal The courage to continue is what counts ” And finally, as the Scripture empowers us, For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but that of power, of love and of self-discipline ” Ms Wanjiru concludes

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