Gender Challenges on Accessibility and Utilisation of Energy Sources: A Case Study

Abstract

Access to energy sources is one of the major challenges, touching all aspects of our lives. Tanzania has various energy sources including water biomass, natural gas, coal, wind and sunlight. This paper presents challenges facing men and women in accessing and utilisation of energy sources. In addition, it examined gender differences in energy access and service demands. The study was conducted in Mvomero District, Morogoro Region. It employed a cross-sectional design, and collected data from the respondents on their experiences, attitudes and opinions regarding accessibility and utilization of energy sources. The unit of analysis was households. Purposive sampling method was used to select Mvomero District whereas stratified random sampling was employed to select divisions and wards. Simple random sampling was employed to select eight villages within the six wards as well as 80 respondents. Findings indicate that gender, poor economic performance, lack of institutional commitment in implementing government policies and lack of shared vision and mission in implementing the environmental policy are limiting factors in accessing the available energy sources. Several measures are recommended in order to improve access to energy resources: transformation of the political will into budgetary allocations to renewable energy programs, promoting renewable energy based on power generation systems, subsidizing initial investments in energy sources, promoting the economic status of poor communities - especially among women - to enhance and improve affordability of modern energy sources.