Intersectionality of Gender, Energy Access, and Climate in the Context of Kenya

Approximately one-third of the world’s population, which is around 2.4 billion people, cook using open fires that are fuelled by coal, kerosene, and biomass. These sources generate harmful household air pollution, which is responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year, according to the World Health Organization. Women and children usually handle household chores such as cooking and fuel collection, and they bear the greatest health burden from the use of polluting fuels and technologies in the home. Due to the existing social norms and rules, women and men have different energy needs. This makes it harder to achieve universal energy access equitably.

According to the International Institute for Environment and Development, 68% of Kenya’s energy is from biomass. In some Kenyan cultures, women are solely responsible for gathering firewood. Men are not allowed to collect firewood or cook as it is considered taboo. Unfortunately, this cultural norm puts women at risk of musculoskeletal injuries since collecting firewood can be a strenuous task. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established that women who engage in such strenuous activities without sufficient rest and recuperation are at risk of severe and long-term physical damage. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, risks of physical injury and violence associated with women’s fuel collection involvement are endemic. This is because they often walk long distances to obtain firewood and as a result are victims of physical and sexual violence.

Children born to mothers who rely on traditional energy consumption, such as charcoal and paraffin, may experience adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight and stunted growth. Many girls from the rural areas of Africa particularly Kenya may not attend school to help their mothers with fuel collection and food preparation. Collecting firewood consumes considerable time for school-going girls limiting the time they spend studying or in school.

The global stocktake is considered to be the central outcome of COP28. It contains what was negotiated and can now be used by countries to develop stronger climate action plans. The stocktake recognizes that greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut by 43% by 2030 to limit global warming by 1.5%. It calls on parties to take action towards tripling renewable energy globally and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030. Kenya has been actively working to address the challenges associated with the use of dirty energy and promote sustainable and clean energy alternatives. For instance, Kenya has significantly invested in renewable energy sources such as geothermal, wind and solar power. Kenya has one of the largest geothermal power capacities in Africa and has been tapping into its geothermal potential to generate clean energy.

Kenya has also invested in wind energy projects such as the Lake Turkana wind power project, which is one of the largest wind farms in Africa. These projects aim to diversify clean energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. This will in turn reduce the burden that women bear due to using traditional dirty energy sources.

 Switching to cleaner, sustainable energy sources is a major climate mitigation opportunity and can only be achieved if women, especially at the grassroots level, are included.

The use of clean fuels and technologies helps reduce household air pollution and protect health. Clean energy includes the use of solar, electricity, biogas, liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, and alcohol fuels.

Renewable energy empowers Kenyan women as users and creates new business opportunities for them. Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in the renewable energy sector, establishing businesses as distributors, technicians, and installers of things like solar panels and biodigesters.

Clean energy is both a catalyst for social transformation and a more equitable and sustainable future for Kenyan women and girls across Kenya.

Governments and organizations should work to eradicate energy poverty by offering green and affordable energy for all.

Offering training and financing women’s transition to clean energy is crucial for low carbon transition and positive climate change. In conclusion, involving women in energy transition to renewable energy sources not only provides a cleaner and more sustainable path forward but also helps curb climate change.

Author: Muthoni Esther Athinya