Renewable Energy for Gender Equity: Solar Electricity and Women’s Empowerment in Developing Regions

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals recognize women’s empowerment and gender equality as development objectives to combat poverty and advance the development of human resources. Despite these development efforts, women face discrimination and gender inequality globally, particularly in developing countries which impedes their social and economic potential. About 75% of women work in the informal sector and the global unpaid household sector is worth $ 10 trillion, accounting for one-eighth of the world’s GDP (ILO,2019). Access to electricity particularly solar electricity in remote rural areas can enhance women’s empowerment in many ways. This review examines the social, economic, and environmental effects of solar electricity access on women’s empowerment in developing countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Solar electricity is a clean energy source that improves women’s health via a reduction in indoor air pollution, increases women’s indoor and outdoor mobility, increases the sense of security, and saves time from household activity. Therefore, women can spend more time teaching children, socializing, and visiting friends and neighbours. Solar electricity could increase household income by extending working hours and involvement in income- generating activities (IGAs). Based on the literature review we developed a theoretical framework that depicts various channels through which clean and reliable solar electricity might improve women’s empowerment. The framework confirms the pathways that demonstrate how solar electricity empowers women by providing access to human, and social resources, increasing mobility, control over assets, and decision-making capacity to improve the everyday lives of women in developing countries.