The Making of a Clean Energy Enthusiast, Environmental Physicist, and Gender Champion

In an unprecedented time where the lines between the physical, digital, and biological worlds are blurred, supersonic developments in science and technology under the Fourth Industrial Revolution−4IR or Industry 4.0−offer vast potential to end poverty, create decent jobs, and improve education, health, and productivity. However, even with all its benefits, the speed of technological change can also increase inequality for those who are left behind, including women and girls.

An eagerness to help ensure that technology works even for those who are often left behind is partly what inspired Jessica Wanjiru Mwaniki, a student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Nairobi, Kenya, to dive headlong into this field. 

Currently in her final year studying for a Bachelor of Science degree in Renewable Energy and Environmental Physics, Jessica, who has loved math and physics since childhood, has been on the lookout for an opportunity to use her interest in science to secure her future while giving back to the community. As the Secretary for the JKUAT Association of Green Energy (JAGE), a role to which she was elected in early 2025 after serving as Assistant Secretary from late 2023, Jessica seems to be right on track.

Spoilt for choice 30 years post the Beijing Conference for Women

Jessica’s foray into the renewable energy and environmental physics path was not without challenges; ironically, her myriad talents and eclectic interests initially made it difficult to pinpoint a single area of study causing her to oscillate from wanting to study fashion and interior design to considering electrical engineering and hairdressing. The scale tipped when her close aunt, who works in Europe as a chemical engineer, suggested that Jessica explores a career in renewable energy. 

“At first, I was reluctant because I was unfamiliar with the field, so I listed it as my second option but ended up being accepted for the course,” said Jessica. 

“Once I delved into the coursework, I was really fascinated by the vast opportunities that renewable energy offers,” she explained. 

When more than 17,000 delegates from across the globe convened in Beijing, China for The Fourth World Conference on Women in September 1995, space, let alone support, for women in education, especially science and technology, was still sparse in many developing countries. 

As 189 countries signed the Beijing Declaration replete with 12 priority areas to empower women and girls, there was a surge of hope that girls and young women like Jessica would have equal or even equitable opportunities to access education even in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Now, 30 years later, there are increasing examples of how opportunities for girls in science and technology are benefitting societies as they spur growth from the grassroots up. 

Making money and making sense of energy for the underprivileged

Indeed, Jessica’s interest in the sciences is not only driven by a desire for a successful career but by a passion for educating communities and uplifting households through clean energy solutions. 

“I can’t wait to begin implementing projects that will provide underprivileged populations with energy solutions that make sense for them in both the short-term and long-term,” explains Jessica.

“I understand that this will require going beyond merely introducing technology to ensuring that it is affordable as well as usable,” said Jessica. 

“This will most likely require collaborating with companies that specialize in clean cooking technologies to ensure that as many people as possible can access these technologies,” she said.  

Over-reliance on non-renewable energy

Although clean fuels and technology are important for women, they are still largely out of reach in East and southern Africa (ESA). Only Seychelles has clean fuels and technology as the primary source of energy for 100 per cent of its population. A distant second in eastern Africa after Seychelles is Kenya with only slightly more than 60 per cent of its population relying on clean energy and technology as its primary energy source. 

Other countries in eastern Africa score poorly on the use clean fuels and technology as the primary source− third after Kenya is Rwanda; only 40 per cent of its population relies on clean energy. Nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of eastern African countries have more than 80 per cent of their respective populations relying on non-renewable energy as their primary sources. Much more investment in clean energy is needed in Madagascar, which has less than 10 per cent of its population relying on clean fuels and technology, and Uganda, South Sudan, and Somalia, which each have less than 5 per cent of their population relying on clean energy and technology as the primary source of energy. Countries in southern Africa fare significantly better off with more than four in five people (80 per cent) in Mauritius, South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, and Lesotho relying on clean fuels and technology as the primary sources of energy. 

From time loss to savings in unpaid care and domestic work

The effects of limited access to affordable and clean energy are heavier on women and girls because of their household responsibilities; in some countries here, for example Kenya, women and girls spend more than five times more time than men and boys on unpaid domestic work and taking care of young, sick, or elderly  family members. 

Recent UN Women and Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) data shows that universal access to clean energy for cooking could save women 40 hours per week on average. For example, electrification significantly increases women's employment outside the home by 9 to 23 per cent thus helping them to contribute more to the economy for their benefit and for the benefit of their families and societies. 

Women and girls can also potentially use this time saved to develop themselves through education and even participate in public and other leadership thus furthering gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). 

“Clean energy can greatly enhance quality of life and health while significantly reducing negative impacts on the environment. Everyone benefits,” said Jessica. 

Student power at work

At the end of October this year, Jessica’s and other JAGE officials’ efforts in advocating for and raising awareness and knowledge on clean energy bore fruit when JKUAT hosted the first-ever Biomass Conference the University, a brainchild of JAGE. 

The three-day event was held in collaboration with United Briquettes Producers Association (UBPA) and officiated by a senior official from the Ministry of Energy. The Conference proved to be a valuable forum for students and industry experts and leaders to explore new opportunities in clean energy and share emerging technology and practices.

“It was inspiring to see how innovation and collaboration can drive real progress toward a greener future,” said Jessica.

JAGE, which is one of at least two Kenyan chapters of a Canada-based network on clean energy dubbed Student Energy, also gives its officials and members access to international dialogues, developments, and good practices in this specialty.

Inching forward with STEM, environmental, data, and care policies for all

As countries in the sub-region mark 30 years of progress since the Beijing Declaration, country reports show that so far, nine ESA countries have integrated gender concerns into environmental policies. They have also strengthened data or raised awareness on gender-specific environmental and health hazards to better inform policies and decisions. 

For education of young women and girls in fields related to science, to date, 25 countries in the sub-region have put in place measures to increase access to training in new and emerging fields including digital fluency and literacy. So far, 15 countries have initiated efforts to promote the education of women and girls in STEM and disciplines relating to the natural environment.

Focus on reducing the burden of unpaid domestic and care work has also increased; to date, 11 countries in ESA have enhanced women’s access to time- and labor-saving infrastructure such as clean, piped water and climate-resilient agricultural technology.

More investment and stronger commitments

While these steps are commendable and augur well for young women like Jessica and other girls and young women in her wake, climate change and environmental disasters continue to have more profound impacts on poor rural and urban women than on their male counterparts. This is especially the case for female heads of households, pregnant and nursing women, older women, women with disabilities, and low-skilled migrant women. Further, still more needs to be done to bridge the technological gender divide and deliver lasting progress. 

For instance, in recent country reports assessing progress since the Beijing Conference, Kenya and Djibouti stress that women and girls are particularly affected by migrations as a result of climate change as they are more likely to lose their livelihoods and support systems as a result of such migration. Women and girls are also more vulnerable in cases where caregiving obligations and lack of finances and assets prevent them from moving from areas affected by crises including natural disasters. This leaves them at risk of physical and even sexual attacks. 

Accelerating progress for women, girls and even youth in the areas of climate change and STEM calls for strong commitments to and investment in implementation and upscaling investments in developing the capacity of women, girls and youth in all spheres.

Mentorship as the model

When she is not busy with her leadership role at JAGE or buried in her schoolbooks, Jessica spends time hiking, travelling, participating in a modern dance group, and advocating mental health among her peers.

“Besides gaining financial stability, more than anything, I want to give back to society, especially girls and women, through mentorship and projects in underprivileged communities,” said Jessica.

“I know that many women in STEM face self-doubt and are isolated in the workplace, often because they don’t have mentors, which impacts their careers in the long term. I want to help change this,” she explained. 

Jessica’s passion for mentorship is no surprise considering the wins that she is enjoying from being mentored by her aunt. Jessica went a step further to seek formal mentorship through the U.S.-based Global Mentorship Initiative (GMI) under a three-month career readiness program that she attended virtually and graduated from in March 2025. The program helps to bridge the gap between graduation and first career jobs for aspiring young professionals. 

“My journey has taught me that sometimes, unexpected paths lead to fulfilling destinations,” said Jessica.

We can’t wait to see where the road takes her!