Congratulations Graduates! Celebrating the Largest Cohort of the Women in Clean Cooking Program
The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) is thrilled to announce the successful graduation of the third cohort of participants in the Women in Clean Cooking (WICC) Mentorship Program. This 12-month virtual program, in collaboration with Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and hosted by the Global Women’s Network for Energy Transition (GWNET), provided training and mentorship to 89 women from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, marking the program’s largest cohort to date.
The WICC program is designed to empower women by offering career development opportunities, strategic goal setting, and networking through webinars and interactive discussions. This year’s participants made up a diverse group of entrepreneurs, mid-management professionals, and innovators who are making significant contributions to the clean cooking sector.
[ Meet the mentees of the WICC program’s third cohort. ]
The program saw notable participation from Kenya, with 32 mentees, reflecting the growing interest and investment in clean cooking solutions in the region. Additionally, three former mentees returned as mentors, contributing to the program’s cycle of growth, while 25 mentors from previous years returned, underscoring their commitment to fostering new talent in the sector. Here’s what some of the participants had to say about their experience:
Mercy Masanga, Mentee, Tanzania: “I can say from the deepest part of my heart, this program has been very, very important for me. It has helped me as an individual and as a professional to understand more about the clean cooking business, not only for helping women to be able to use clean cooking and resources, but knowing that, using clean cooking, we are able to save our environment.”
Rita Robert Otu, Mentee, Nigeria: “My mentor Ellie from Kenya did a wonderful job with me, showing me the steps and what is involved in clean cooking. I was so excited and I’m still excited right now because I’ve learnt a lot from him. It’s also an opportunity to connect with other mentees from other countries all over the world.”
Linda Obiero, Mentee, Kenya: “I joined this mentorship program because of my research interest in clean energy. I wanted to network and work with other like minded professionals already in the energy sector so that I can be part of the solution of providing sustainable access to clean energy in Kenya, especially for the urban poor and the rural households. It has been quite an interesting journey, and my mentor has continually challenged me to keep reading so that I’m able to understand the issue.”
Wendy Sanassee, Mentor, Haiti: “Personally, I see a mentorship program as a two-way street. I have been in different mentorship programs and it’s always a learning experience for both people. Even a mentee has so much to give. Approaching the program with that mindset is very important.”
Béatrice Despioch, Mentor, Kenya: “It’s the second time for me going through the WICC program as a mentor, and it’s always a learning experience. Mentoring brings so much joy, hope, and motivation and it’s truly uplifting to see talented, smart young women like Pauline pushing the agenda on universal access to clean cooking solutions for all.”
CCA extends its gratitude to all mentors, partners, and participants for their dedication and looks forward to continuing this journey of empowering women in the clean cooking sector.
