Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All? An Assessment of Gender and Energy Access in Peri-Urban Zimbabwe
Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy for All? An Assessment of Gender and Energy Access in Peri-Urban Zimbabwe

Summary/Abstract: Access to energy is a key pillar of human wellbeing, economic development and poverty alleviation. Electricity demand exceeds supply in Zimbabwe, necessitating severe load shedding and the use of alternative energy. Utilising 40 in-depth structured interviews, this paper examines evidence of gender differences on energy access and use by Zimbabweans living in peri-urban areas. The results show that energy poverty is prevalent, underpinned by widespread poverty, contribu- ting to constrained economic development and poor social life. Poor women, especially bear much of the burden of energy access and use, including danger to their health. Governments and development partners need to priotise energy as part of aid distribution while there is need to appoint more women in positions that shape energy policy and enact more gender neutral/friendly policies. The situation on the ground suggests that access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all is still a long way off for these communities. The study contributes to the ongoing global debate on energy and gender by providing evidence and insights from a developing world context.

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