Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Use and Policy

Abstract

Energy is a basic necessity for survival and a key input to economic and social development. Inspite of large-scale expansions in energy service provision, more than two billion people across the world lack access to modern energy services. Lack of energy services is correlated with many of the elements of poverty, such as low education levels, inadequate health care, and limited employment possibilities. Gender issues have a key role in energy policies primarily because gender differences and inequalities have consequences for energy needs, use and priorities. In most cultures, women and men have differing roles and responsibilities, with women carrying out subsistence activities, including gathering and managing fuel and water. Women and men also have different degrees of access and control, especially with regard to biomass resources. Inspite of the fact that they are closely involved with obtaining resources from the surroundings, women rarely have control over them. As a result, limited access to energy resources is a problem that has a disproportionably greater effect on women, especially in rural areas. This paper therefore outlines possible policy directives and measures aimed at engendering energy interventions. Thus, greater attention to the needs and concerns of women could help governments promote overall development goals like poverty alleviation, employment, health, and education through improved energy policies.