Gender balance and energy policy: a case of Rukungiri district Uganda
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Date
2011-11
Authors
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
The topic of research was gender balance and energy policy; a case of Rukungiri districtUganda.
The main objective of this study was to establish the relationship between gender
balance and energy policy with particular attention to masculinity issues so as to contribute to the
formulation of a policy that takes into account gender issues of sensitive nature.
The researcher did not want to lose strategic focus of research objectives and thus formulated
research questions to guide in realization of his objectives as follows: what are the characteristics
of a gender balanced energy policy and what conditions enable the integration of gender in a
national energy policy? To find answers to the research questions, a literature study was carried
out, which also provided theoretical background information on gender mainstreaming and on
energy policy. The researcher also developed and administered a survey to 96 respondents to
collect qualitative data.
Five characteristics of a gender balanced energy policy were identified. They include: gendermainstreaming,
participation, recognition of women's role in the energy provision and use and
their energy needs, an integrated energy planning (IEP) approach, and a gender-disaggregated
data on male and female energy use.
Six conditions were identified to realize a gender balanced energy policy and these were
analyzed to determine whether these conditions were achieved in Uganda. These were:
participatory framework, methodological framework, and legal framework, establishment of a
political framework, an institutional framework and a financial framework.
By way of recommendation, the process towards a gender balanced energy policy should
therefore start with the conditions for realizing it and fulfilling these conditions creates an
enabling background for gender-mainstreaming. Then the process moves on towards the
characteristics of a gender balanced energy policy that needs to be taken into consideration when
integrating gender into energy policy. To overcome gender imbalance among other things,
energy policy-makers should try to mainstream gender issues. A gender balanced energy policy
should therefore ensure that the energy needs and energy concerns of both men and women are
considered. Besides some exceptions, women are generally under-represented at the decisionxiv
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making level in the energy sector and are rarely consulted regarding energy projects. The
government needs to focus on the demand-side of the energy sector. A gender balanced energy
policy should furthermore recognize women's role in the energy provision and use and their
energy needs. Women fulfil a triple role in society; namely; a productive, reproductive and a
community role. They have energy needs according to those roles, like cooking, energy for
income generating activities, lighting, and many others. These should be considered during
energy policy formulation.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the faculty of business and management in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the a ward of a Master of public administration and management degree of Kampala International University
Keywords
Gender balance, Energy policy, Uganda