Standing up for women: Gender mainstreaming in energy policy in Senegal

Abstract

This paper focuses on the gendered impacts of energy access in rural areas. We examine gender mainstreaming and dynamics in the case study of the PUDC which address energy vulnerability in Senegal through rural electrification and others public services. The case study of the PUDC stress gender dynamics and explores its broader implications for sustainable energy access. With qualitative research using a multi-level participatory approach, data were collected from 210 individuals, 112 of them women and 98 men, in 16 villages of 6 regions (Matam, Saint-Louis, Louga, Kaolack, Fatick, Thiès), using 19 focus groups, 18 household interviews, and 19 key informant interviews with local leaders, women's associations, and PUDC partners. Findings of this research show that the logic of the implementation of the gender strategy, which targeted women and communities as a priority, had significant impacts, enabling women, the main consumers, to improve their status in households and play an entrepreneurial role (individually and in groups) and men to consolidate their role as providers, relocated to the village and diversified through the development of service activities. For sustainable access to energy, we suggest that gender equity be better addressed in the monitoring and maintenance of energy infrastructures.