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Gender and Energy Research Programme

Energy interventions affect men and women differently. Both can benefit substantially, but only if their differential needs and differing ability to access energy services are properly understood. Gendered approaches can help empower women and reduce poverty. They can help deliver energy interventions that are effective, efficient and sustainable.

Energy matters; gender matters. Both are critical in international efforts to reduce poverty and combat climate change. Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”, whilst Goal 7 aims to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”.

The Gender and Energy Research Programme was initiated in order to extend the knowledge base that policy makers require in order to pursue these two goals effectively. A defining feature of the research programme is the firm belief that Goal 7 can be better served if energy issues are examined from a gender perspective. The programme is also concerned with understanding to what extent, and under what conditions, increased energy access can contribute towards Goal 5 and, thereby, also towards poverty reduction. A major purpose of the programme is to start addressing the distinct shortage of data concerning linkages between gender and energy access.

 

The programme covers seven research projects:

  • Exploring factors that enhance and restrict women’s empowerment through electrification.
  • Productive uses of energy in the street food sector
  • Gender factor in political economy of energy sector dynamics.
  • Gender and Fossil Fuels Subsidy Reform
  • Female microenterprise creation and business models for private sector distribution of low-cost off-grid LED lighting
  • Unlocking the benefits of productive uses of energy
  • Building the Evidence Base for Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship to Improve Energy Interventions’ Effectiveness: A Literature Review

The research is conducted by consortia that include research institutions, NGOs and private companies, thereby offering the capability to both perform high quality research and create links to policy and practice.

Programme brochure


The ENERGIA Gender and Energy Research Programme is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID)

 

Programme news

Webinar: Women’s empowerment through access to modern energy

Bernadette, Virginie and Brigitte: Three energy entrepreneurs changing Rwanda one step at the time

Women-led enterprises in the energy sector: Findings and recommendations from ENERGIA meeting in Rwanda

Research projects receive Best Paper Awards at Diana International Entrepreneurship Research Conference

HLPF side-event: Can gender-sensitive approaches serve the aims of energy access for all?

Webinars on the Gender and Energy Research Programme – 25 and 27 June


Read more about Research Programme

 

Publications

Levers of Change: How Global Trends Impact Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Access to Sustainable Energy

Sustainable Energy for All, ENERGIA

Levers of Change: How Global Trends Impact Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Access to Sustainable Energy Book

2018.

Links | BibTeX

@book{forAll2018,
title = {Levers of Change: How Global Trends Impact Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Access to Sustainable Energy},
author = {Sustainable Energy for All, ENERGIA},
url = {https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Levers-of-Change-How-Global-Trends-Impact-Gender-Equality-and-Social-Inclusion-in-Access-to-Sustainable-Energy.pdf},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-05-02},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}

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  • https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Levers-of-Change-How-Glob[...]

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SEAR Special Feature - Energy access and gender: Getting the right balance.

Soma Dutta, Annemarije Kooijman, Elizabeth Cecelski

SEAR Special Feature - Energy access and gender: Getting the right balance. Miscellaneous

2017.

Links | BibTeX

@misc{Dutta2017,
title = {SEAR Special Feature - Energy access and gender: Getting the right balance. },
author = {Soma Dutta, Annemarije Kooijman, Elizabeth Cecelski},
url = {http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/463071494925985630/pdf/115066-BRI-P148200-PUBLIC-FINALSEARSFGenderweb.pdf},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-05-15},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {misc}
}

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  • http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/463071494925985630/pdf/115066-BRI-P148[...]

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The Gender and Energy Research Programme: What we know so far and policy considerations

J. Clancy, M. Stockbridge

The Gender and Energy Research Programme: What we know so far and policy considerations Miscellaneous

2017.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@misc{Clancy2017,
title = {The Gender and Energy Research Programme: What we know so far and policy considerations},
author = {J. Clancy, M. Stockbridge},
url = {https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Policybrief-Energia-March-GERP-2017-final-lr.pdf},
year = {2017},
date = {2017-03-31},
abstract = {Energy policy is usually gender-blind. This makes it harder to achieve SDG targets relating to gender equality and sustainable energy access for all. The Gender and Energy Research Programme is helping to build the knowledge that countries need in order to develop and reform their energy sectors in a more gender-sensitive way. Energy interventions affect men and women differently. Both can benefit substantially, but only if their differential needs and differing ability to access energy services are properly understood. Gendered approaches can help empower women and reduce poverty. They can help deliver energy interventions that are effective, efficient and sustainable. },
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {misc}
}

Close

Energy policy is usually gender-blind. This makes it harder to achieve SDG targets relating to gender equality and sustainable energy access for all. The Gender and Energy Research Programme is helping to build the knowledge that countries need in order to develop and reform their energy sectors in a more gender-sensitive way. Energy interventions affect men and women differently. Both can benefit substantially, but only if their differential needs and differing ability to access energy services are properly understood. Gendered approaches can help empower women and reduce poverty. They can help deliver energy interventions that are effective, efficient and sustainable.

Close

  • https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Policybrief-Energia-March[...]

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Mainstreaming gender in energy sector policy and practice_FULL REPORT

Joy Clancy, Nthabi Mohlakoana, Yacine Diagne Gueye

Mainstreaming gender in energy sector policy and practice_FULL REPORT Journal Article

2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@article{Clancy2016,
title = {Mainstreaming gender in energy sector policy and practice_FULL REPORT},
author = {Joy Clancy, Nthabi Mohlakoana, Yacine Diagne Gueye},
url = {https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Mainstreaming-gender-in-energy-sector-policy-and-practice_FULL-REPORT.pdf},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-09-30},
abstract = {The ENERGIA network has for more than twenty years been building a substantial body of experience with approaches to gender mainstreaming in the energy sector. There is a need to document this experience in a systematic way that can be used to inform future work of ENERGIA, the network members and partners, and most importantly, other energy sector players. In order to do that, ENERGIA commissioned research by a small team of which the objective is to bring together lessons learned from gender approaches by ENERGIA and other organisations (in particular the World Bank’s Africa Renewable Energy and Access Program (AFREA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)). The ultimate aim is to increase ENERGIA’s effectiveness, enhance ENERGIA’s role in setting the stage for other organisations and to inform policy development and practice about successful gender mainstreaming approaches.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

Close

The ENERGIA network has for more than twenty years been building a substantial body of experience with approaches to gender mainstreaming in the energy sector. There is a need to document this experience in a systematic way that can be used to inform future work of ENERGIA, the network members and partners, and most importantly, other energy sector players. In order to do that, ENERGIA commissioned research by a small team of which the objective is to bring together lessons learned from gender approaches by ENERGIA and other organisations (in particular the World Bank’s Africa Renewable Energy and Access Program (AFREA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)). The ultimate aim is to increase ENERGIA’s effectiveness, enhance ENERGIA’s role in setting the stage for other organisations and to inform policy development and practice about successful gender mainstreaming approaches.

Close

  • https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Mainstreaming-gender-in-e[...]

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Mainstreaming gender in energy sector policy and practice_EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Joy Clancy, Nthabi Mohlakoana, Yacine Diagne Gueye

Mainstreaming gender in energy sector policy and practice_EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Journal Article

2016.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@article{Clancy2016b,
title = {Mainstreaming gender in energy sector policy and practice_EXECUTIVE SUMMARY},
author = {Joy Clancy, Nthabi Mohlakoana, Yacine Diagne Gueye},
url = {https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Mainstreaming-gender-in-energy-sector-policy-and-practice_EXECUTIVE-SUMMARY.pdf},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-09-30},
abstract = {The ENERGIA network has for more than twenty years been building a substantial body of experience with approaches to gender mainstreaming in the energy sector. There is a need to document this experience in a systematic way that can be used to inform future work of ENERGIA, the network members and partners, and most importantly, other energy sector players. In order to do that, ENERGIA commissioned research by a small team of which the objective is to bring together lessons learned from gender approaches by ENERGIA and other organisations (in particular the World Bank’s Africa Renewable Energy and Access Program (AFREA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)). The ultimate aim is to increase ENERGIA’s effectiveness, enhance ENERGIA’s role in setting the stage for other organisations and to inform policy development and practice about successful gender mainstreaming approaches.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

Close

The ENERGIA network has for more than twenty years been building a substantial body of experience with approaches to gender mainstreaming in the energy sector. There is a need to document this experience in a systematic way that can be used to inform future work of ENERGIA, the network members and partners, and most importantly, other energy sector players. In order to do that, ENERGIA commissioned research by a small team of which the objective is to bring together lessons learned from gender approaches by ENERGIA and other organisations (in particular the World Bank’s Africa Renewable Energy and Access Program (AFREA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)). The ultimate aim is to increase ENERGIA’s effectiveness, enhance ENERGIA’s role in setting the stage for other organisations and to inform policy development and practice about successful gender mainstreaming approaches.

Close

  • https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Mainstreaming-gender-in-e[...]

Close

Women and Sustainable Energy: How the work of Ashden Award winners impacts the lives of women and girls

Anne Wheldon, Chhavi Sharma, Emily Haves, Ellen Dobbs, Sam Wheldon-Bayes

Women and Sustainable Energy: How the work of Ashden Award winners impacts the lives of women and girls Technical Report

Ashden, Energia, DFID 2015.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

@techreport{Wheldon2015,
title = {Women and Sustainable Energy: How the work of Ashden Award winners impacts the lives of women and girls},
author = {Anne Wheldon, Chhavi Sharma, Emily Haves, Ellen Dobbs, Sam Wheldon-Bayes},
editor = {Joy Clancy},
url = {https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DFID-Energia-Ashden-Report-Public-Summary-Feb-2015-1.pdf},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-02-00},
institution = {Ashden, Energia, DFID},
abstract = {This Ashden report was commissioned by DFID, to inform the major DFID research programme on energy and gender - led by Energia - and to feed into DFID’s other existing and future work. The report draws upon the experiences of Ashden Award winners and has two aims. The first is to identify how access to energy affects the lives of women and girls. The second is to identify to what extent women are involved in the Award-winning enterprises and programmes, and the impact this has.

The review showed that energy access provided by Ashden winners benefits both men and women, but women are likely to benefit more. This gendered impact relates, in part, to the traditional roles of women – as responsible for cooking, cleaning and other chores – and the greater time that they spend in the home. Ashden found a significant easing of these burdens through cutting the time and reducing the intensity of domestic tasks, and making the home a healthier, safer and more comfortable place. ‘Time’ was a notable benefit of increased energy access: saving time, making the use of time less arduous, extending the useful day and allowing women more choice in how to spend their time. Many women benefited disproportionately from technologies like TV and phone charging that increased their contact with the wider world. Access to electricity and agricultural technologies gave some women more opportunity for productive activities that increase their income, which is also important in changing gender roles.

Formal employment in an energy access enterprise or programme may provide women with a greater income than they could earn through informal productive activities at home. This, combined with the status of having a ‘proper job’, most likely challenges gender roles. However, the income and working conditions of women who work as sales agents or in the supply chain are less clear. We found that the representation of women in Award-winning enterprises and programmes was low at all levels – particularly in leadership, but also in the workforce and supply chain. Discussions with 2014 winners suggested they had positive experiences of employing women and the low numbers were often not for a lack of trying. Barriers identified to employing women include cultural factors (eg husbands not allowing wives to work) and practical factors (eg safety travelling to work). One strong message that came from many 2014 Ashden winners was the value of involving women in the design process; they said that technologies to be used by women should be designed by women.

This report identifies research gaps for further investigation, including more detailed studies on the employment and outsourcing of work to women by energy access enterprises, and a study of the long-term impact of energy access on women. We have also noted work related to the health impacts of stoves and educational impacts of solar lights.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}

Close

This Ashden report was commissioned by DFID, to inform the major DFID research programme on energy and gender - led by Energia - and to feed into DFID’s other existing and future work. The report draws upon the experiences of Ashden Award winners and has two aims. The first is to identify how access to energy affects the lives of women and girls. The second is to identify to what extent women are involved in the Award-winning enterprises and programmes, and the impact this has.

The review showed that energy access provided by Ashden winners benefits both men and women, but women are likely to benefit more. This gendered impact relates, in part, to the traditional roles of women – as responsible for cooking, cleaning and other chores – and the greater time that they spend in the home. Ashden found a significant easing of these burdens through cutting the time and reducing the intensity of domestic tasks, and making the home a healthier, safer and more comfortable place. ‘Time’ was a notable benefit of increased energy access: saving time, making the use of time less arduous, extending the useful day and allowing women more choice in how to spend their time. Many women benefited disproportionately from technologies like TV and phone charging that increased their contact with the wider world. Access to electricity and agricultural technologies gave some women more opportunity for productive activities that increase their income, which is also important in changing gender roles.

Formal employment in an energy access enterprise or programme may provide women with a greater income than they could earn through informal productive activities at home. This, combined with the status of having a ‘proper job’, most likely challenges gender roles. However, the income and working conditions of women who work as sales agents or in the supply chain are less clear. We found that the representation of women in Award-winning enterprises and programmes was low at all levels – particularly in leadership, but also in the workforce and supply chain. Discussions with 2014 winners suggested they had positive experiences of employing women and the low numbers were often not for a lack of trying. Barriers identified to employing women include cultural factors (eg husbands not allowing wives to work) and practical factors (eg safety travelling to work). One strong message that came from many 2014 Ashden winners was the value of involving women in the design process; they said that technologies to be used by women should be designed by women.

This report identifies research gaps for further investigation, including more detailed studies on the employment and outsourcing of work to women by energy access enterprises, and a study of the long-term impact of energy access on women. We have also noted work related to the health impacts of stoves and educational impacts of solar lights.

Close

  • https://www.energia.org/cm2/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/DFID-Energia-Ashden-Repor[...]

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