Energy Access and its implication for women: A case study of Himachal Pradesh, India

1. Energy Access and its implication for women: A case study of Himachal Pradesh, India Presented by Dr. K. Sangeeta Consultant (Gender and Poverty Unit) Integrated Research and Action for Development, New Delhi, India

2. Study of Himachal Pradesh, India IRADe conducted this study to explore the energy poverty and gender nexus and assess the impact of clean fuel access policy on women’s empowerment. The study tried to address the following issues: • Linkage of improved energy service to social/economic empowerment of women • Time cost of gathering fuels • Health impacts of dirty fuels

3. On theselection of study area • Mountainous State: More fuel required for space and water heating • Extra physical effort in carrying fuels on difficult terrain • The state has made more progress in terms of access to clean energy sources, water supply and sanitation • High level of gender empowerment

4. Fuel Consumption pattern

5. Distance traveled Households HHs collecting from up to 1 km 42% HHs collecting between 1-2 km 31% HHs collecting from 2-3 km 12% HHs collecting from more than 3 km 14% Average time spent per trip (hours) 2.7 Average no. of trips per HH per month 15.0 Average time spent per month per HH (hours) 40.8 Impact of energy poverty on women Women have to walk every month in the state, spending 40 hrs. during 15 trips, each of about 3 hrs. to fetch fuels

6. Fuel Type Gender (%) Age (Average) Male Female Male Female Wood 38.00 62.00 53.50 29.00 Agri. Residues 24.50 75.50 19.00 32.50 Dung Cake 4.00 96.00 57.00 34.00 Kerosene 58.50 41.50 21.50 36.00 Cooking gas (LPG) 100.00 0.00 29.00 NA Others 60.00 10.00 51.50 41.5 Difference in responsibilities on procurement of fuels

7. 400 341 300 218 200 145 17 87 76 0 100 103 10 2 49 45 0 60 years Above < 5 years 5-14 years 15-30 years 30-45 years 45-60 years Male Female Vulnerability by Age Groups The risk of having respiratory symptoms among adults increases with age

8. YES (82.5%) NO (17.5%) Reason Response Reason Response Convenient (to turn on/off) 18.00 It is expensive 49.00 Time Saving 39.00 The place is too far 5.00 Cleaner Household 36.00 Supply is inadequate 7.50 Easy Accessibility 7.00 We do not need it 26.00 We forgo our share of ration 12.50 Are women willing to use clean fuels?

9. Willingness to pay for better indoor air quality FACILITY % Of HHs Fitting a window/ventilator 71.75 Fitting a chimney 55.73 Installation of improves cook stove 25.95 Switch to clean fuel 4.58 More doors 2.29 Other 6.87 Base: Households willing to spend money: 131 Willingness to pay

10. Major findings of the study Fuel consumption pattern in the State • Use of multiple fuels in the households. This fact has been overlooked even in the census • Distribution systems for LPG and Kerosene are quite good but still bio-fuels used Women are particularly impacted by the energy poverty • Women have to walk on an average 30 kms. in a month for fuel wood collection • About 2.7 hours spent per person per trip and 40 hours spent per month per household • Fuel wood collection primarily responsibility of women

11. Major findings of the study contd……. Health impacts of biofuels • Women chief cooks primarily affected by exposure to high levels on indoor air pollution • Girl children below the age of 5 years and females between the age group of 30-60 years (who are mainly the chief cooks) at higher risk • This burden, causes backache (50%), neck ache, headache and bruises every week (80%) and most of the women have encounters with wild animals and snakes every quarter

12. Recommendatıons 1. Key elements for market creation - Increase opportunities for women to earnincome - Proper training and opportunities to women to become effective energy entrepreneurs - Ensure gender equality in providing access to information, training and also joining professional associations

13. Recommendatıons contd… • Having more women entrepreneurs lead to a great adaptation of market services and products. • Increase awareness on the technologies and their benefits in appropriate format (language, technical content, etc. - Effective demonstration of new technology for wider acceptance by women as well as men.

14. Recommendatıons contd… 2. Issue of capital availability and financing mechanism - Support in the form of micro-credit and loans instead of subsidies - Group grantees option where all members are responsible for the repayment of each other’s loans - Generate income using the equipment for business activities to pay off the loans - Women need to be trained and given assistance for business development.

15. Recommendatıon contd… - Encourage women to purchase renewabletechnologies collectively. - Overcome gender inequality in the ownership of assets such as land, houses and other fixed assets. - Adaptation of credit scheme to reduce down payment requirement and extend the payments periods will attract more women entrepreneurs. - Low transaction cost in time and money, easy procedure for application and use of informal channels.

16. Recommendatıons contd… 3. Business model sustainability and reliability  - Assist rural renewable energy based enterprises to build a sustainable and viable business. • Demonstration of viable business model to achieve market sustainability. - Women’s groups can start energy market ventures through biofuel plantation.

17. Recommendatıons contd… 4. Needs for further data/information/studies • Data sets disaggregated by sex and other social and economic variables • Impact of energy interventions should be assessed not only on women’s time and work profile but also self-realization and control over resources. - Sex disaggregated data at the M&E stage can lead to further policy development or modifications.

18. Lesson Learned • At present women manage 1/3rd of the energy system in India by gathering fuels. They need to be supported by management and technology to continue to manage it sustainability and with least hardship. • Networking of energy, health and transport need to reduce poverty. All these tasks need more management and policy initiatives. • Emphasis on education of women and spreading awareness as this helps not only in efficient energy management but also reduces health impact.

19. Lessons learned contd… • Afforestation issues can be tackled by having fuel within 1 km distance. • In addition, transportation services such as wheel barrow, better pathways including motorized transportation for carrying heavy loads of biofuels should be made available. • Capacity buildings of stakeholders at all level.

20. Thank you