Inclusive innovation, gender and energy access: some reflections

By Maria Martina Marchesotti, Aalborg University, Denmark

Introduction – what is inclusive innovation?

Inclusive innovation in the development field has become a term frequently used by researchers in many contexts, including in international development agencies and in research. The term innovation is often used to talk about something new but what does it really mean? Innovation is not only the creation of something new, but in line with the AfricaLics’ understanding of the term, it is also the adaptation of an existing technology to a different context. Hence, it does not always imply the invention of something. Additionally, the term technology does not always mean something tangible as a product or service. Rather, it may also refer to processes, knowledge, for example. The concept of inclusive innovation in turn relates to how innovation processes take place, who is involved and who benefits from different forms of innovation (Globelics 2012). The World Bank (2013) cited in Khaemba & Kingiri (2020) defines inclusive innovation as an expansion of “affordable access to quality products and services that create and increase livelihood opportunities for excluded populations” (Khaemba & Kingiri 2020:6). Inclusive innovation is perceived as an interactive process where inclusion may be instrumental in promoting innovation (Globelics 2012) and vice versa. Innovation has to be inclusive in two main aspects: both “in terms of the process by which it is achieved and in terms of the problem and the solution it is related to” (Khaemba & Kingiri 2020:6).

Additionally, one of the areas that is starting to receive attention in the research community is women and gender issues in relation to innovation. This piece of work therefore explores the social dimension of inclusive innovation in the context of gender.

The social dimension of inclusive innovation

When adapting an existing technology to a new and different context, there is a need to understand the context in which the technology is adopted. For this reason, we need to take into account the social dimension which is critical for the adaptation process. The social dynamics, including the specific forms of relationships, and the strong ties women create are part of the social dimension of everyday life. These for instance may play out when they are in charge of collecting resources and supplies, which in turn influences the outcome of the introduction of new technologies. Gupta & Vengelin describe social inclusiveness at different levels: at the local level “it would imply accounting for specific individuals and groups” (Gupta & Vengelin 2016:436). Understanding the social dimension of an inclusive approach towards energy and innovation will help policy makers and researchers to address from an informed perspective the needs of women in terms of energy access. In order to develop policies that address the social dimension, there is a need to understand the impact of energy access on the social structures and dynamics in women’s everyday life. However, the social outcomes of accessing energy are insufficiently investigated.

Within the sustainable development goals (SDGs) discussions, there is an increasing need to interrogate the importance of gender and especially women’s needs in the context of social and cultural dimensions. A number of frameworks have been used for this purpose, such as the sustainable livelihood framework, gender mainstreaming and gender and poverty approach – al which focus on the relation between gender and energy. These frameworks however, fail to consider inclusivity which is key for improving the opportunities and the livelihood of “excluded people” (Khaemba & Kingiri 2020). In fact, to promote access to energy for women, the notion of inclusiveness must be considered. Additionally, there is also a strong correlation between SDG 5 (achieve gender equality) and SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy). In fact, “access to clean, affordable, sustainable energy is an enabler to the much-desired economic development, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and promotion of gender equality” (Khaemba & Kingiri 2020:1). A gender-sensitive approach towards energy would enhance gender equality and would change the traditional gender roles in energy access.

The article by Khaemba and Kingiri (2020) has inspired the thoughts advanced in this blog. The article by for instance aims to shed light on the dynamics of gender and inclusivity linked to renewable energy for “excluded people”, which is the case of many women and people with disabilities in the low income countries. In addition, the article addresses gender issue with regards to energy access and how social-cultural aspects such as gender “cannot be ignored when it comes to the topic around access to renewable resources and related inclusivity aspects” (Khaemba & Kingiri 2020: 8). The article notes that there is a strong relationship between gender inequality and energy access in terms of “the ability of an end user to utilise an energy supply that can be used for desired energy services” (SEforAll 2013 as cited in Khaemba & Kingiri 2020:3). Indeed, accessing renewable energy resources is strongly gendered in rural and peri-rural areas. Thus, women are facing more challenges compared to men in relation to energy access and its benefits because of their lack of resources and capital. Additionally, “women’s role is not recognized since renewable energy production and dissemination, and use are often viewed as gender-neutral” (Khaemba & Kingiri 2020:2) Social exclusion is deeply involved in energy poverty issues where many women in low income countries are disadvantaged.

Some critical reflections

Sustainable development has evolved to better connect its three dimensions: economic development, social inclusion and environmental sustainability (Mensah 2019). The social perspective of inclusivity encompasses gender equality and women empowerment, which are part of the international agenda in the development field. In fact, SDG 5 addresses gender equality for all women and girls; whereas SDG 7 addresses access to clean, renewable and affordable energy. By combining the two, one can claim that one way of achieving gender equality is through access to energy – and indeed many studies demonstrate how women’s livelihood has improved after having access to electricity (AfDB 2016; Wither et al. 2018; Bullock & Tegbaru 2019). With the advent of modern and renewable energy, the social dynamics and structures within the household and villages have been affected by energy policies addressing gender inequalities. Energy access should thus be understood as an intervention in a space where social relations between people, in this case women, exist.

It has been claimed that women’s increased access to energy will empower them, improve their livelihood and their economic opportunities (Standal & Winther 2016). However, the social aspect of collecting firewood, water and other resources may be lost in the process. This is because in most of the rural and peri-urban settings, women are responsible for taking care of the household and therefore they are involved in collecting the resources necessary for the household. In these settings, they rely mainly on traditional biomass fuel and hence collecting the resources is a way to actively engage with women from other villages and a way to socially interact with others. In addition, lighting a fire in the middle of the homestead is a moment of interaction and a way of sharing values. Indeed, Straight (2007:52) points out how the process of cooking with fire is seen as “the social, practical, fecund and as well as sacred centre of a Samburu house”. In addition, the fire also represents a connection with the divinity (Ibid).

Kumar (2018) further highlights that women’s lives have not necessarily improved after accessing energy. In some cases, for instance, the time gained because of electricity access is used to keep maintaining and cleaning the house instead of improving their education which is important for subsequent improved livelihood (emphasis added). Arguably, instead of only thinking about how access to modern energy sources will improve women’s life in terms of health and economic growth, we need to consider how the relationship between energy access and development will impact the sociocultural dynamics of women’s life.

Another example is found in the article by Rhodes et al. (2014), which notes how new cook stoves fail to adapt, in terms of design, to the needs of women.

“Women in all sites agreed that maintaining tradition was a relevant benefit of using their traditional stoves and that cooking and specific food preparation practices were a component of their cultural identity. A single, universal stove design may not meet the cooking demands and local practices across different settings. Aspirations for a new stove varied between sites, depending on social norms and contextual needs (such as available resources) for each site”. (Rhodes at al. 2014:10320)

New cook stoves thus need to be adjusted to the different values and need held by the users, in this case women. This is an example of why we need to recognize the importance of addressing the social dimension aspects in inclusive innovation.

Recommendations for further interrogation

Based on the above analysis and discussion, we may realize that without focussing our attention on the social dimension of inclusive innovation, we will not succeed in including it in development processes. In the analysis of the topic, the following are some recommendations that are relevant for policy and practice:

  • There is a need to think about the social interactions between women in order to include them and their culture in the development processes and policy.
  • Policy makers should consider women’s needs and adjust the policies to take into account women’s needs which are different from one context to another.

To sum up, policy and practices need to consider the social environment, dynamics and interactions of women’s everyday lives. Additionally, there is a need for a deeper understanding of the outcomes, positive and negative, of accessing energy in low and middle income countries.


References

  • AfDB. (2016). Empowering women in African through access to sustainable energy: a desk review of gender-focused approaches in the renewable energy sector. Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire: AfDB.
  • Bullock, C., & Tegbaru, A. (2019). Women’s agency in changing contexts: A case study of innovation processes in Western Kenya. Geoforum, 105, 78-88.
  • Globelics. (2012). Learning, Innovation and Inclusive Development. New perspectives on economic development strategy and development aid. Denmark: Aalborg University Press.
  • Gupta, J., & Vegelin, C. (2016). Sustainable development goals and inclusive development. Int Environ Agreements , 16:433-448.
  • Khaemba, W., & Kingiri, A. (2020). Access to renewable energy: a gender and inclusivity perspective. Affordable and Clean Energy, Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Kumar, A. (2018). Justice and politics in energy access for education, livelihoods and health: How socio-cultural processes mediate the winners and losers. Energy Research & Social Science, Vol. 40, 3-13.
  • Mensah, J. (2019). Sustainable development: Meaning, history, priciples, pillars, and implications for human action: Literature review. Cogent Social Sciences, 5:1, 1-21.
  • Nations, U. (s.d.). Sustainable Development Goals: Ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy.Retrieved from Sustainable Development Goals: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/
  • Nations, U. (s.d.). Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 5 Gender Equality. Retrieved from Sustainable Development Goals: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/
  • Rhodes, E. L., Dreibelbis, R., Klasen, E., Naithani, N., Baliddawa, J., Menya, D.,  Khatry, S., Levy, S., Tielsch, J. M., Miranda, J. J., Kennedy, C., & Checkley, W. (2014). Behavioral attitudes and preferences in cooking practices with traditional open-fire stoves in Peru, Nepal, and Kenya: implications for improved cookstove interventions. International journal of environmental research and public health, 11(10), 10310–10326.
  • Standal, K., & Winther, T. (2016). Empowerment Through Energy? Impact of Electricity on Care Work Practices and Gender Relations. Forum for Development Studies Vol. 43, No. 1, 27-45.
  • Straight, B. (2015). House, fire, gender. Material Religion, 3:1, 48-61.
  • Winther, T., Ulsrud, K., & Saini, A. (2018). Solar powered electricity access: implications for women’s empowerment in rural Kenya. Energy Research & Social Science, 44, 61-74.
Inclusive innovation, gender and energy access: some reflections

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top