The transition to clean energy brings life-changing benefits like clean cooking services. Clean cooking uses gaseous fuels and electricity, reducing harmful emissions. However, 2.3 billion people still use polluting fuels, leading to millions of deaths annually. Access to clean cooking varies by country income and location. While global access has increased, challenges remain in many countries.
The United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address poverty, health, education, inequality, economic growth, climate change, and environmental conservation. SDG 7 focuses on providing affordable, sustainable, and clean energy for all. The World Health Organization sets benchmarks for “clean” cooking, favoring efficient and low-emission technologies while discouraging the use of polluting fuels.
Approximately 2.3 billion people globally lack access to clean cooking, posing health risks, especially for women and children in low- and middle-income countries. Gender mainstreaming is crucial for achieving universal clean energy access. However, integration into energy projects in informal urban areas remains fragmented, necessitating better support and capacity building.
Gender equity is vital for economic stability. In the U.S. energy industry, women hold 27% of jobs, despite recent growth. Challenges persist globally in solar, wind, and hydropower industries, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to address gender disparities.
Hydropower, the world’s largest source of renewable, low-carbon electricity, faces a significant gender gap. Women hold only a quarter of jobs globally, mainly in non-technical roles. Factors hindering women include a lack of STEM skills, limited awareness, inadequate female role models, and managerial bias. Improved family-friendly policies and female inclusion in policymaking are required for industry advancement.
Women represent 40% of the global solar photovoltaic (PV) workforce, double the share in the wind industry and oil and gas sector. However, they are mainly in administrative and non-STEM technical positions, with underrepresentation in STEM and senior management roles. Gender bias and barriers to recruitment, advancement, and work-life balance exist in the industry, with women reporting higher perception of pay gaps and barriers.
The global wind energy industry has seen substantial growth, but women make up only 21% of its workforce, lagging behind other renewable energy sectors. Barriers to gender equity include cultural norms, limited awareness of opportunities, and lack of support policies. Companies can promote change by prioritizing fairness, transparency, and work-life balance.
Access to clean cooking fuels is crucial for gender equity and poverty alleviation. Currently, billions of people lack safe and affordable energy sources for cooking. Women and girls bear a disproportionate burden in collecting and processing polluting fuels, affecting their well-being and opportunities. Clean cooking energy reduces cooking time, allowing women to engage in other activities like childcare, work, and household chores.