Locations
This International Women's Day, celebrate the strength and resilience of the women who drive local development in their communities.
Women, the right energy for sustainable development
March 8, 2025
Women of Cacula
UNDP Angola
In rural communities of Angola without access to electricity, women farmers like Maria, Isabel and Joaquina do more than grow crops - they create opportunities. With dedication and knowledge, they transform crops like pumpkin and sweet potatoes into marketable products that support families and strengthen the local economy.
Without electricity, however, these women's potential is limited. The daily work requires redoubled effort, while difficulties in processing and storage reduce production. With the right energy, they can go even further.
Daily work requires redoubled effort, while difficulties in processing and storage reduce production.
UNDP Angola
Double work, limited opportunities
In local agricultural processing centres, the work is manual and demanding.
Isabel, coordinator of the co-operative in Cacula, Huíla, faces this challenge on a daily basis. ‘The big difficulty that makes us sad is the lack of energy. Sometimes we want to work more, but we can't,’ she shares.
Even so, she and 11 other women persist. They produce with the resources available to them, selling at local markets and supplying nutritious food to nearby schools.
Maria grew up on the farm and is well aware of the importance of agriculture for the community's livelihood. ‘Here in Cacula, we're peasants because there are no companies, there's no other option,’ she explains. Today, she is part of a co-operative that benefits more than 78 families, transforming agricultural production into a livelihood.
For these communities, agriculture goes beyond food - it's the basis of the local economy. Better access to infrastructure, such as energy and drinking water, can have a lasting impact.
Joaquina, mãe de seis filhos, percorre longas distâncias para obter água antes de iniciar a produção. Mesmo com essa dificuldade, ela e outras mulheres da cooperativa produzem sumos, polpas e até quatro bolos por dia.
PNUD Angola
This International Women's Day, Celebrate with Action
The Solar Kitchen: The Kitchen with the Right Energy campaign wants to change this reality. By installing solar-powered kitchens, co-operatives will be able to expand production, preserve food better and sustainably generate income.
In communities like Humpata and Gambos, the positive impact of clean energy is already visible: greater autonomy, better living conditions and expanded economic opportunities.
Together, we can empower these community leaders, promoting a more sustainable and just future.
