21 - Gender equality and energy access: Barriers to maximizing development effectiveness in the SAARC region

Summary

Gender inequality is revealed by using measurable indices assessing gender disparities within countries and across regions, while tracing the gaps and the effectiveness of the past development processes. The key dimensions, such as economic participation, education, health, and politics, that are often incorporated when introducing measures to redress gender inequality do not reflect the effects of energy access or the implications of lack of energy access in realizing the effectiveness of development. The situation of the countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region reveals that the development effectiveness is highly skewed, with greater achievements in welfare service-related areas that are not manifested in women’s economic and political participation or decision-making. Drawing evidence from energy access-related data available in secondary sources and using the field research data gathered in Sri Lanka, the researcher carried out an assessment highlighting the nexus between gender equality and energy access. The discussion presented in this paper reveals that countries in the SAARC region have made progress through various interventions, particularly health, education, and employment generation. However, the effectiveness of the interventions in changing the local situation pertaining to gender equality is low or has been rather slow. This is partly owing to the fact that the policies in the countries in the SAARC region are less responsive to gender equality, women’s participation and representation, and engagement in policy advocacy. How to begin a more effective process is a question that may be asked by energy experts looking for answers from gender experts or women activists. Findings indicate the necessity for creating a conducive environment with a gender-inclusive energy policy and improving the readiness of women and the sectors affected by imbalances, by means of building social capital and accountability systems. Findings point out failures in expanding energy access as a locomotive to reach the most deserving sectors of society, the women, and some countries have not been able to fully realize the full effectiveness of development.