Household energy and gender: the global context

The substantive issue of development is addressing poverty. Therefore, this paper examines what are the linkages between gender, household energy and moving people out poverty. The first section looks at the gender-energy-poverty nexus in general and then how household energy can contribute to reducing vulnerability and empowering women. Women are the specific focus since they generally have the responsibility for providing household energy. The section finishes with a review of how international development agencies address gender and household energy issues. The second section discusses in more detail the subject that is emerging high on development agencies agenda related to household: gender and health. Two issues within the energy sector that are driven at the international level are the privatisation of the energy sector and the impacts of fossil fuel combustion. Both of these issues are examined in relation to gender and household energy. The paper is aimed at researchers and practioners in the energy sector, as well as those involved in social development.