SPARKNET Bibliography

Author and Title	Cecelski, Elizabeth, "Energy and the Rural Women's Work: Crisis, Response and Policy Alternatives"
Article in	Article in International Labour Review, Volume 126, Number 1, January-February 1987, p.41-64
Available online at
End use	Household energy and energy for small-scale enterprises
Energy technology	Non-forest biomass production, decentralised energy
Issue	Planning methodology; reducing women's workload; women's needs
Level	Policy advice; case studies
Description	Several country studies on energy and rural women have shown that, confronted with changes in fuel and biomass availability, rural households are being forced to make various adjustments that adversely affect their living standards, work and consumption. The adjustment produces negative effects on working patterns; on family nutrition and health; and on the environment, agricultural productivity and incomes. These findings raise questions about the effectiveness of many current energy policies and projects and point to some possible alternative approaches. It is possible both to manage energy demand and to increase family welfare through improved household fuel planning and cooking efficiency. Decentralised energy supplies can improve the productivity of women's income-generating and household activities. By combining rural development and energy goals in a participatory approach, it is possible to meet both objectives more effectively.

This bibliography item provided with financial support of the Department for International Development of the UK Government (DFID) and ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy