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ENERGIA News Issue 2.1, February 1998

ENERGIA News Guidelines for Case Studies

Lack of good, relevant case studies on gender and energy is one of the key constraints identified by ENERGIA to understanding how women's participation in energy projects and programmes can help ensure sustainable energy development.

And, even more importantly, it is a constraint to being able to advise energy practicioners on “best practices” that can be applied in their work. Providing such models of methodologies and implementation, as well as studies of impacts, costs and benefits, is one of the objectives of ENERGIA News.

For example, many renewable energy projects have involved women; but how this was done and the results have frequently not been documented. In other cases, some women's projects have included attempts to solve women's energy problems; but this has been little documented. In particular, case studies are lacking on women's involvement in “non-traditional” energy areas, e.g. new and renewable energy technologies, the energy transition, rural electrification, energy pricing and macro-economic policy, health and environment, rural and urban transport, energy in small enterprises, the development of large-scale energy projects and integrated energy planning. Many lessons can be taken too from traditional areas of women's participation, such as household energy and social forestry.

Below are suggestions of the kind of information that we would be likely to provide insights to the readers of ENERGIA News through case studies on women and energy. Any quantitative information would be valuable, if available. Not all questions may be equally applicable to all case studies.

Background

1. General: What is the development and resource situation in the project area? What are the main constraints and strengths related to the energy sector?
2. Household livelihood strategies: What different activities/work do women and men traditionally do? What is the position of women in the household and the community? What are the key constraints and strengths for women?

The Project

1. Who is responsible for initiating the project? Who is funding? Who is executing? When did the project begin? How long is it? What are the costs?
2. Why was the project needed and how did it came about? What are the objectives of the project? Is the project specifically directed at women, or is it a general project for everyone?
3. Who is involved in the project? Which organisations? Which groups? Who are the members (women/men, rich/poor, etc.)? What special efforts are made to involve women and overcome any difficulties they may have in participating?
4. Progress to date. Successes and set-backs (actions to overcome them).

Evaluation/Lessons

Possible ways to address gender aspects include:

1. How do women and men participate in the project, e.g., in management committees, speaking out in meetings, as workers/operators? Do women take any leadership roles in the project? Do any cultural barriers or positive traditions affect women's and men's participation in the project? Is women's interest or leadership an important factor in success of the project?
2. How do women benefit from the project, directly or indirectly? Do women get employment, income or other benefits (e.g. time saving) from the project? Are women's perceptions of the project's benefits different from men's perceptions?
3. What are the lessons for other projects?

Contacts/Further Reading

1. If readers would like to know more or exchange information, who should they contact? Name, position, address, telephone, fax, Email if available.
2. References/recommended reading for further information on the project.

The length of the case study can be up to 2,000 wods. Please also add one paragraph about the author and her/his work and interests. Any photos etc. would be much appreciated and returned. We can use slides, photos, graphics or scanned images.

If you are interested in providing a case study, please contact the ENERGIA News Secretariat.