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
women and girls in Arusha by providing them with information on how
to optimise their use <strong>of</strong> energy and to begin to strengthen their
capacity to take part in the energy decision-making process.
This second aim has been achieved by enabling the study communities to design
and implement two energy focal points, one in each <strong>of</strong> the two wards. Thus these
communities have begun, with the help <strong>of</strong> relevant local institutions, the process <strong>of</strong>
raising their awareness <strong>of</strong> how to improve their household energy processes. <strong>The</strong>
action plans for both focal groups when undertaken will sensitize the community to
the need for more equal gender role and rights.
7.3 <strong>The</strong> way ahead
7.3.1 Background
<strong>The</strong> findings and interventions described in this report are context specific. <strong>The</strong>y
were undertaken in specific relatively poor urban communities in Arusha, northern
Tanzania at a specific time. <strong>The</strong>y comprise an intricate mesh <strong>of</strong> issues and
understandings around the household energy process and provide evidence to
inform future policies. Most importantly they demonstrate the ignorance <strong>of</strong> individuals
and communities about the comparative performance <strong>of</strong> the variety <strong>of</strong> fuels which are
available in Arusha. Significantly the integration <strong>of</strong> research and practice is an
important feature <strong>of</strong> this study.
7.3.2 <strong>The</strong> research perspective
<strong>The</strong> research has highlighted the need for more data on the amount, and cost <strong>of</strong>
energy used for each domestic activity. This information could then be used to advise
households on how best to manage household energy budgets. Careful energy
management is particularly important for poor households who are currently
spending about a third <strong>of</strong> limited budgets on energy.
In view <strong>of</strong> the relatively limited research on the energy, poverty, gender relationship
in urban areas, and the context specific nature <strong>of</strong> the study there is a need for further
follow-up research in other towns both within and outside Tanzania, possibly in west
and southern Africa and a country outside Africa to assess the generic nature <strong>of</strong> the
findings.
7.3.3 <strong>The</strong> practice perspective
In a very short period <strong>of</strong> time it has proved possible for two communities to establish
interventions which will, if sustained, will contribute to improving the lives <strong>of</strong> poor
households, especially women and girls, in Daraja Mbili and Kaloleni.
<strong>The</strong> performance <strong>of</strong> the two interventions should be evaluated in approximately six
months to assess whether they are having an influence on energy management in Daraja
Mbili and Koleni. If they are having a positive influence they should be widely publicised
and other communities enabled to adopt this approach so that they can also benefit.
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Development Planning Unit, UCL London
Sheilah Meikle and Patrice North