Engendering Industries Welcomes New Partners
USAID’s Engendering Industries program welcomes 13 new partners from 10 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Read the announcement
USAID’s Engendering Industries program welcomes 13 new partners from 10 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Read the announcement
SONEB operates approximately 60 urban drinking water supply systems in Benin and serves over 245,000 customers. SONEB is partnering with USAID to increase gender equality across the company and improve company performance.
When women serve as leaders and employees, businesses benefit and company performance improves. USAID’s Engendering Industries program works to increase women’s participation in male dominated sectors globally. In 2021, Engendering Industries partnered with SONEB in Benin to design workplace initiatives that will expand job opportunities for women and enhance the utility’s performance.
SONEB is a state-owned utility that operates approximately 60 urban drinking water supply systems serving over 245,000 customers. The utility is responsible for urban areas of Benin, and is facing a need for expansion as rapid urbanization is creating larger cities. The utility has made significant progress in improving performance and efficiency, and is considered a state success because of improvements the utility has made in financial stability and increased services. Recognizing that diverse teams build better businesses, SONEB is partnering with USAID to increase gender equality across the company to further improve company performance.
Engendering Industries uses a globally-recognized evidence-based methodology to support women’s participation in Benin's water sector. The program supports SONEB to increase opportunities for women by introducing gender equality initiatives at each phase of the employee lifecycle—from reducing gender bias at the hiring stage, to creating strategies that will help retain female talent. Engendering Industries is supporting SONEB towards their goal of advancing gender equality within the organization.
A dedicated change management coach supports the utility and works directly with three staff to become agents of change within SONEB. A baseline assessment is conducted to identify gaps and opportunities for improving gender equality across the company. The findings are used to develop a strategic action plan that will facilitate SONEB’s gender equality goals. This is supplemented by the program’s partnership with the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, which delivers the Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program (GEELP) to three utility employees. The GEELP is a best-in-class 12-month executive course that empowers decisionmakers to integrate gender equality initiatives into their corporate structure.
Engendering Industries will also work to support and accelerate existing gender equality initiatives underway at SONEB, including:
Last updated: February 23, 2022
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