- Connectez-vous ou inscrivez-vous pour publier un commentaire
Soumis par Rodolfo Gomes le mer, 30/11/2016 - 13:25 Permalien
Dear Milika, the "challenges in abstracting water from aquifers" can be addressed in several ways: you mentioned solar pumps, but firstly there must be a technology assessment (with pleniful local participation) to verify which is the more apropriate technology for them (not only technical and economic aspects, but either from a cultural, sociological and antropological standpoint). There are technologies such as low-cost wind turbines and human/animal powered water pumps for instance that could be used instead of solar. Which one(s) of them is(are) more appropriate? So, we need to be careful on technology choice in talking about energy programs.
Soumis par Rodolfo Gomes le mer, 30/11/2016 - 13:01 Permalien
I couldn't agree more with you. Let me just make some "cleaning" in some statements to avoid misunderstandings. The process of technology choice and technology development must consider the issues you raised. The technology appropriateness is closely linked to the users and societal/local values. Western technology (light bulbs, bicycles, cars, domestic appliances) is socially constructed in the context it is generated. The same is true for the traditional technologies and knowledge, full of wisdom, practical observation and cultural values. Pastoralism and traditional agriculture are full of appropriate solutions. So, an appropriate technical innovation takes sociological, antropological and other relevant issues into consideration in deciding which technology to be selected and in deciding the generation of new technologies. We must break the "technicality"-centered aspect of technology. The overall mindset still believes in the neutrality of technology and a lot of energy access or any other programs are based in this hugely equivocate rationale (good-intended or not...). And for this reason I have a huger fear that Energy for All and other activities to attain the SDGs will prominently fail in delivering what they are meant to achieve and even worsen the situation.
Soumis par Rodolfo Gomes le lun, 21/11/2016 - 16:49 Permalien
"La femme aussi peut faire les activités qui étaient réservées aux hommes et même le faire mieux.": yes!
"L`égalité genre ne sera que la conséquence de cette politique d`intégration féminine dans tous les processus.": not necessarily. The fight for gender equality is much broader than strong participation in a process for energy access and income generation. Women can strongly participate in the same activities as men in promoting energy access, but it doesn't mean gender equality as long as these same women earn less than men for the same job; or continue facing sexual harassments; or do not attain higher job positions usually assumed by men. Paraphrasing Ghandi, there is not a path to gender equality, gender equality is the path.
Soumis par Rodolfo Gomes le ven, 18/11/2016 - 19:15 Permalien
Dear Jessie, thanks for the material! I'd like only to point out the importance of the technology choices for cooking stoves. There are several of them and not necessarily all of them are appropriate to the locality. These technologies should meet the needs and the conditions of affordability, accessibility, availability and durability. The local people (especially women) are essential to this process of choosing the best technology that meet their needs. Otherwise there is a considerable risk of failure in introducing a technology (as much simple it could be) that does not suits well. Past experiences are full of cases like that.
Cooperatives and appropriate technology
Soumis par Rodolfo Gomes le dim, 25/06/2017 - 11:33 Permalien
Dear Njeri Njau,
Regarding "Producers are forced to sell their produce at throw away prices due to the perishable nature": the way out is providing appropriate techniques or technologies (like refrigerator, fridge) to them. If don't have access to electricity, providing its access is crucial.
Regarding "Poor price bargaining skills. Brokers of fresh produce have a field day exploiting producers": cooperatives are an important way out to this, led by women and whose governance is for their empowerment.
Best regards,
Rodolfo.