Exploring factors that enhance and restrict women’s empowerment through electrification Universal energy access and gender equality are inextricably linked. Empowered women can help advance global energy initiatives, and energy initiatives can help empower women. On the other hand, studies have shown that gender-blind energy programs consistently cut women out of the picture. How do […]
Productive uses of energy in the street food sector In Senegal, South Africa, and Rwanda, the street food sector is one of the few industries that employs more women than men—on average, 63% of businesses in the industry are owned by women. This means that targeting the street food industry with energy access projects has […]
Gender factor in political economy of energy sector dynamics The requirements of modern energy use can be broken down into three parts – availability on a national level, access on a community or household level, and use on a personal level. Even when clean energy is available, it’s not always easily accessible, and even if […]
Gender and fossil fuel subsidy reform Attempts to alleviate poverty and achieve universal energy access have often taken the form of fuel subsidies, which are usually focused on specific types of fossil fuels rather than on outcomes. In general, fossil fuel subsidies are ineffective in combating climate change and reducing the harmful side effects of […]
Female microenterprise creation and business models for private sector distribution of low-cost off-grid LED lighting Gender quotas are an effective way to ensure that new energy supply systems promote gender equality rather than reinforcing old roles. However, there’s often a fear that energy initiatives helmed by women will be less successful or productive in countries […]
Unlocking the benefits of productive uses of energy Electricity can increase productivity, create new jobs and businesses, and reduce the time spent on unpaid work. However, research shows that access to electricity alone is insufficient to trigger productive uses—things like skill training, financing to purchase equipment, and access to markets are also necessary. Because men […]
Building the Evidence Base for Women’s Empowerment and Entrepreneurship to Improve Energy Interventions’ Effectiveness Female energy entrepreneurship is one of the clearest methods by which goals for universal energy access and gender parity can advance hand in hand. However, even with modern interventions, women still face many barriers to entry. How does energy entrepreneurship benefit […]
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg’s School of Public Health with Babson College International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
Institute of Development Studies with GIZ Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research
Environmental Economics Policy Research Unit (EPRU) (South Africa); Africa-branch of Environment for Development (Sweden) with Nuru East Africa Ltd (Rwanda) Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) – Rwanda-office (head-‐office, New Haven, USA)
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