Page 43 - “GREENING” THE CONTENT IN CXC® SYLLABUSES

E-LEARNING MODULES AND LEARNING GUIDE FOR TEACHERS

Objective 3: Outline the role of gender in renewable energy use.

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Gender issues in Renewable Energy (RE)

Women and men benefit from energy services

differently. Improved access to modern and sustainable

energy services potentially can enhance women’s social

and economic situation. In many rural areas, women and
girls are generally responsible for collecting

firewood for cooking and fetching water for domestic

purposes. In some cases, they must walk for long distances to collect firewood and water. This
situation often hinders them from accessing educational opportunities and livelihood enhancing

activities, and social interactions. Also, indoor air pollution resulting from using traditional cook-

stoves has a greater impact on women and children than on men. The lack of electricity in some

remote villages also affects the social and economic development within these villages.

This therefore means that the deployment of renewable energy in areas that do not have access
to modern energy services as electricity and clean cooking fuels can help women to overcome

some of the social and economic issues they face. With access to electricity, women and girls can

benefit from better health care, education, and potable water. They can engage in productive
activities such as craft making in the evenings which will benefit them economically. Other issues

include:

• Lack of skills and training for women; and

• Women seen as home care workers; and

• Being paid less for the same job being done by a man;
• Being overlooked for promotion;

• Lack of childcare facilities to aid in women joining the workforce; and,

• Lack of access to information and inclusion in decision making.

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