WOMEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF ENERGY FUTURE: FROM EVIDENCE TO INCLUSIVE POLICIES

The benefits of inclusion of women in the energy value chain are increasingly recognized. Involving women at different levels of the energy supply chain promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment. In this article, Mini Govindan highlights the approaches adopted towards involving women in energy supply chain to encourage gender equality in employment and improve the effectiveness of the supply chain.

- Mini Govindan

Gender mainstreaming in the energy sector is gaining traction globally and the development community clearly recognizes the benefits of inclusion of women in the energy value chain. Moving beyond identifying women as only ‘passive end-users and consumers of energy’ towards acknowledging their potential to formally participate as key agents and providers of energy supply and services has often resulted in increased opportunities to expand their horizons and benefit from the energy sector. Moreover, it is well recognized that women participating in energy supply chain will encourage gender equality in employment and also improve the effectiveness of the supply chain. All these factors correspondingly contribute to achieving the SDGs goals 5 and 7.

With this logic and a mission to empower women, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (Mahavitaran), which is one of the largest state distribution utilities in India, initiated a number of programmes to encourage and induct women in the electricity supply sector across the state. Besides, a number of studies in the academic literature have highlighted the importance of having an equal right for women in developing solutions for electricity supply.1 Women-targeted approaches and inclusion of women in the supply side of the value chain are found to have contributed to empowerment processes.2

Gender Equality Policies and Quota Implementation