Gender Equality in the Just Energy Transition Agenda for the African Extractives Context: The Rule of Law

Abstract

The paper focuses on the benefits of the “just transition”, including gender equality. Specifically, the paper highlights how gender equality in Africa’s extractives sector can be enhanced through the just transition agenda. The paper first explains how consistent gender inequality has been in the African extractives sector due to stereotyping and gender-based exclusion. The paper argues that such inequality could be resolved if the just transition’s aim to promote a quality life for all is appropriately applied. There is currently no legal framework dealing mainly with the just transition and gender equality in the extractive sectors in African countries. However, the paper argues that current laws, policies and initiatives targeting energy and renewable energy offer some guidelines that can enhance the just transition and gender equality. Further, the paper suggests how law reform or law design for the just transition should provide for specific targets, including the realisation of gender equality. This can be achieved by making provision for the building of a necessary and inclusive workforce, protection of workers’ rights, social protection for affected communities and integration into a low-carbon economy.