A review of energy policies in East and Southern Africa

Renewable, clean energy and gender equality are preconditions for sustainable development and for tackling climate change. This linkage is tacit in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gender equality and women’s empowerment (Goal 5) and women’s and men’s equal access to secure energy services (Goal 7) are central to building more environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient societies (Goals 13 and 15) (UN Women and UNDP-UNEP PEI, 2015).

This brief provides an initial review of gender integration in energy policies in East and Southern Africa.The review was based on methodologies for qualitative data and policy analysis proposed by several scholars (e.g. Fisher, Miller and Sidney, 2007; Ritchie and Spencer, 1994) and is a joint product of UN Women and the Poverty- Environment Initiative Africa of the United Nations Development Programme and UN Environment.