Case Study

Case Study: Exploring Client Approaches to Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response - Energia del Pacifico, Infrastructure, El Salvador

January 22, 2023

In a country with a high prevalence of Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Harassment (GBVH) (estimated to cost the GDP 3.9% (2019), Energia del Pacifico (EDP) recognized the need to go beyond minimum environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements to boost its ESG performance and manage GBV risks.

Furthermore, the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic saw EDP creating alternative measures of community engagement (e.g., social media, booklets, radio programs) to implement its Stakeholder Engagement Plan. EDP developed a GBV action plan and Gender Strategy. Key aspects included continuous outreach activities to attract and recruit female candidates in local communities, which led more women to apply; engagement with local communities, NGOs, Municipalities; GBV awareness raising activities amongst staff and local communities including an innovative theater play; and, liaison with contractors to promote job opportunities and hiring women.