This issue’s theme on Women, Energy and Economic Empowerment shines light on the role of women in reaching energy products and services to the poor and ‘difficult to reach’ consumers. The issue also explores the impact that women led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) selling energy services can have, with respect to household spending, poverty, gender equality and local markets and economies. Because of their role as household energy managers and through their formal and informal networks, women are in a unique position to connect with their peers, increase awareness and deliver energy products and services. As users, they know what features energy products should have. At the same time, when women who are home-based micro and small scale business owners or workers get energy access, they stand to benefit tremendously through increased productivity and lowered costs, resulting in increased incomes benefitting families, societies and local markets. ENERGIA taps into this huge potential of women-led MSEs in scaling up energy access with its recently launched Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme (WE). Read more on the background and WE programme in the article ‘Unlocking women’s potential towards universal energy access’.
The Guest Editor and Sponsor for the issue was ENERGIA together with GVEP, GIZ, Practical Action and Deloitte.
