Energy and gender issues in rural sustainable developmen

Recognising gender differences in decision-making on energy and rural development

By: Lambrou Y & Piana G
Published by: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2006
Via: Eldis

This paper discusses links between gender issues and energy within the international sustainable development context. It also presents recommendations on ways of incorporating gender sensitivity into energy and development policies and planning processes. Elements that should be considered in addressing gender and energy linkages include:

• gender mainstreaming which requires positive action at the policy level, at the programme level and at the organisational level
• gender disparities should be considered within the particular social, economic and political context

Additionally the authors recommend integrating energy projects into other types of development programmes to help shifting the focus from technology-driven energy interventions to more integrated initiatives that take into account a community’s social and economic development needs. The paper includes regional portraits for Africa, Asia and Latin America concerning gender aspects of rural energy poverty.

(http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/SUSTDEV/dim_pe1/docs/pe1_060501d1_en.pdf)