EnDev’s Gender-Transformative Approaches: A Path to more Equality
Access to modern energy is a fundamental driver of gender equality and economic empowerment and International Women’s Day serves as a global reminder of the urgent need to break the barriers. However, women worldwide still face significant barriers in accessing reliable and affordable energy. Through gender-transformative approaches, the programme not only provides access but also drives lasting systemic change.
While energy poverty affects both men and women, its consequences are particularly severe for women, who are more likely to rely on inefficient energy sources for social, economic and environmental needs. Recognizing these disparities, EnDev has made gender equality and women’s empowerment a strategic priority. As outlined in its Gender Strategy, EnDev promotes “gender equality and women’s empowerment by expanding access to modern energy services for households, social institutions, and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries.” Gender is not only mainstreamed in EnDev’s projects—ensuring that nearly 50% of the people provided with energy access by EnDev are women—but the programme is increasingly adopting gender-transformative approaches.
Gender-Transformative Approaches
Gender-transformative approaches go beyond simply improving women’s access to energy—they aim to shift underlying societal norms and power structures that reinforce gender inequality. This means challenging traditional roles, increasing women’s participation in decision-making, and ensuring their voices are heard in the energy sector. By integrating gender-transformative strategies, EnDev ensures that energy access does more than meet immediate needs—it creates lasting changes that empower women, foster economic growth, and contribute to more equitable societies.
EnDev implements this approach by:
– Designing interventions that specifically address gender barriers, such as lack of financing and technical training
– Encouraging women’s leadership in energy enterprises and policy discussions
– Strengthening partnerships with organizations that advocate for gender equality in the energy sector
– Promoting the inclusion of women in the renewable energy workforce through capacity-building programmes
Addressing Gender Disparities in Energy Access
Women continue to face significant barriers in accessing renewable electricity and improved cooking solutions. From an EnDev-perspective, the most fundamental areas that need attention are:
- Limited Energy Access: Women have lower access to modern energy services compared to men, who are for example more likely to afford high-capacity electricity for businesses and industries, while women remain restricted to basic services like lighting. By December 2023, 15.8 million women and girls in 20 countries have gained access to modern energy as a result of EnDev´s interventions.
- Clean Cooking: Over 2.6 billion people, mostly women and children, lack access to clean cooking, leading to severe health risks from indoor air pollution. EnDev’s efforts have improved conditions for 6.3 million women and young children by reducing exposure to hazardous pollutants through clean cooking solutions.
- Healthcare: Only 41% of healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries have reliable electricity, affecting maternal and childcare services. EnDev has provided energy access to 2,390 health centers, improving healthcare services for women and children.
- Economic Participation: Women are underrepresented in energy-related businesses. EnDev supports 20% of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led by women, creating economic opportunities. Furthermore, 35,990 women are employed in MSMEs supported by EnDev
- Crisis Settings: Access to reliable and sustainable energy is a fundamental human necessity. Without it, displaced individuals—especially women and children—face greater risks and have fewer opportunities to rebuild their lives. Among LNOB groups, that live for example in displacement settings, 2,200 women and girls were reached by EnDev´s interventions.
Real Impact: Women Leading Change
In Kenya, entrepreneur Naomi Ngotho transformed her livelihood by starting a clean cookstove business in 2020. With EnDev’s support, she accessed advanced machinery and business development training, enabling her to scale production from 50 to over 200 stoves per month. As a result, she has created employment opportunities for other women and significantly improved her family’s living conditions. She recalls: “When I started, I had no home, now I own a home and my children go to the best school. It’s all because of the hard work I put into this project.”
Learn more about Promotion of Climate-Friendly Cooking: Kenya and Senegal
EnDev has enhanced the organizational, structural, and commercial capacities of two women’s groups, Benkadi and Bendenya ni Jigiya, in rural Mali. A total of 40 members received training in associative life, marketing, and accounting. These groups manage agricultural plots and, with EnDev’s support, have acquired solar-powered irrigation systems, leading to increased productivity, higher incomes, and strengthened solidarity.
To further develop their activities, they are now focusing on formalizing as cooperatives, improving financial management, and enhancing marketing strategies. This initiative empowers women-led agricultural enterprises by combining technical solutions with business capacity building for sustainable growth.
Find out about EnDev´s activities in Mali.
In Benin, the WEE-ASSOCIATION Integrated Institutional Strengthening Project supports the growth of the off-grid solar and clean cooking energy market in Benin, benefiting rural and peri-urban communities. In partnership with EnDev, it strengthens collaboration among members, provides capacity-building, and fosters business development. The project takes a gender-transformative approach by empowering women through technical and entrepreneurial training, improving their access to finance, markets, and information. So far, 25 women-led businesses have received support, 50 female agricultural entrepreneurs have been introduced to clean energy, and three business partnerships have been formed, contributing to a stronger and more inclusive renewable energy sector.
The examples show that equitable energy access isn’t just about technology—it’s about empowerment, economic growth, and a more just future for all. With this, EnDev contributes to the objectives of the annual International Women’s Day and the global efforts of Agenda 2030 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
