Dr. Govind Kelkar

1. The Energy
and Gender
Nexus
Govind Kelkar
Webinar, 22 June 2017

2. The Political Economy of Energy
Access and Use
Combine an analysis of social
reproduction (domestic cooking and
care) and production (agriculture
and enterprise).
Ways in which energy and
empowerment of women relate to
each other.
 Access and use of energy may lead to
empowerment of women
 Empowerment of women may lead to
change in access and use of energy

4. Political Economy Factors That
Facilitate Women’s Empowerment
Women’s power resulting from
participation in production.
From strengthening ownership and
control of assets & energy
equipment.
Increase freedom of movement.
Take decision independently or
consulted on household decisions.
“sometimes we buy things and then
inform the husbands”

5. Gendered Access and Use of Energy in
Agriculture and Related Enterprises
Women’s ownership and control
rights to land and equipment as the
key.
Presence of women’s collectives
(SHGs).
Male migration / absence of men.

6. Energy Use Decisions Interact with
Changes in Demand on Women’s Time
Use of LPG
“we can no longer cook fuel wood, no
reversal is possible”
Time saving in vessel cleaning/
drudgery reduction.
Reduction of smoke.
Time to be engaged in income
earning, with children and watching
TV.

7. Gendered Social Norms Informal/
Formal Institutions
Women’s agential and associational
power.
Ownership and control of productive
assets can influence social norms,
government agencies and private
sector.
Access and use of energy as enabler
to provide equal opportunity in
improved quality of life and
participation in economic activities.

8. Pathways Leading to Transformational
Change
Promotion of women’s employment
opportunities in rural areas, with
decent work conditions.
Assisting women to address gendered
social norms with policy and practice
for entitlement of productive assets
(land, house, energy equipment).