The Impact of Energy Use on Poor Urban Livelihoods in ... - DfID

A Study <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> use on Poor Women/Girls Livelihoods in Arusha, Tanzania
about the type <strong>of</strong> energy to be used is less clear cut, with men sometimes making the
decision and sometimes the decision being made jointly.
This study finds that to achieve effective and sustainable changes in the household
energy process and hence energy roles, responsibilities and rights, and thus move
towards gender equality and women’s empowerment, it will be necessary, in view <strong>of</strong>
the existing cultural paradigm, to work with both women and men. Further because <strong>of</strong>
the unique energy-use fingerprint in each locality it is necessary for any changes to
be context sensitive. Two sets <strong>of</strong> issues have been identified which, if changed,
could lead to the use <strong>of</strong> more efficient time saving energy not only by women but also
by men and others in the home. <strong>The</strong> first is concerned with increasing the knowledge
and understanding <strong>of</strong> the performance <strong>of</strong> various fuels and how best to use them.
<strong>The</strong> second relates to changed approaches around energy in the community and
government sectors.
<strong>The</strong>re is anecdotal evidence from this research that men are more willing to share in
energy related tasks when the process is easier, cleaner and quicker. 94 So the use
<strong>of</strong> modern fuels would appear to be the ideal if there is to be a more equal sharing
between men and women <strong>of</strong> household energy related tasks. Unfortunately for the
reasons discussed earlier, households in the study area, in the short and probably
medium term, are likely to have limited access to electricity the most desired <strong>of</strong>
modern fuels. Nevertheless it is the contention <strong>of</strong> this report that greater gender
equality and women’s empowerment in the energy process can be achieved through
making energy a focus <strong>of</strong> community interest and working with men and women to
increase the knowledge and understanding <strong>of</strong> the performance <strong>of</strong> various fuels and
how best to use them.
7.2.2 Aims
<strong>The</strong>re is every indication that this study has achieved both the aims set in the project
document.
First aim - To provide stakeholders (including policy makers, planners and
implementers in the public and community sectors) with an improved
understanding <strong>of</strong> how access to energy impacts on the livelihoods <strong>of</strong>
poor urban women and girls. In particular, to consider how changes in
the energy decision-making process, and women and girls' energy
responsibilities, might affect their capacity to take advantage <strong>of</strong>
educational opportunities (MDG2) 95 and contribute to their greater
empowerment and greater equality in the household (MDG 3); 96 and
<strong>The</strong> various dissemination activities (section 4.2.3), a large number <strong>of</strong> which have
been completed, have publicised the findings <strong>of</strong> this study locally in Arusha and
Tanzania, as well as to a wider audience outside Tanzania. In so doing they have
provided a wide range <strong>of</strong> stakeholders with a wider understanding <strong>of</strong> how access to
energy impacts on the livelihoods <strong>of</strong> poor urban women and girls.
Second aim - To contribute to the improvement <strong>of</strong> the livelihoods <strong>of</strong> poor urban
94 Semi-structured interviews and informal discussions
95 Millenium Development Goal
96 See Appendix A1
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Development Planning Unit, UCL London
Sheilah Meikle and Patrice North