Poverty Alleviation & Gender > Projects
Completed Projects
Gender and Energy Sector Reform in India
The study aims to provide gender based evidences in efforts to bridge the policy gap that exists between clean cooking energy access of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas- assumed to be the clean and convenient cooking fuel in India) for cooking and its impact on the role of women. This is a 4-year study starting from February 2015. In the first year a scoping research report has been prepared to understand the issues that are likely to be of most importance and require a deep dive research. The scoping report comprehensively cover the available literature on the subject and draw upon research methodology extensively. Based on the scoping study 2 streamlined research questions have been taken up to investigate in detail.
1. How do existing LPG subsidy policies affect the welfare, productivity and empowerment of women and girls in urban, peri-urban and rural low-income households in two districts—preliminarily identified as Ranchi (in the state of Jharkhand) and Raipur (in the state of Chhattisgarh)—taking into account
- Impacts of the subsidy on LPG distribution?
- The extent to which the subsidized price is actually reflected in LPG retail prices paid by consumers?
- The extent to which lower LPG retail prices influence household fuel use?
2. How might the welfare, productivity and empowerment of women in low-income households change as a result of the following policy reforms:
- EMI (earnest monthly instalment) facility for availing LPG connection
- Implications of distribution of free LPG “connection” (registration and starter kit) to below poverty line (BPL) households
Two states Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh have been selected as locations to perform the case study. These are among the 4 most backward states of India in terms of access to clean cooking energy sources. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are two neighboring States with only 11.66% and 11.18% households using LPG as main cooking fuel and 86.90% and 87.74% households uses solid fuels for cooking. These states possess similar socioeconomic characteristics but different policy and administrative environment. For instance, as per union government scheme any BPL category people wanting a new LPG official connection of 14.2 kg cylinder, will be given a rebate of Rs 1,600. The rebate includes Rs 1,450 as security deposit for cylinder and Rs 150 as cost of pressure regulator. This policy has been further enhanced in Jharkhand where the state government is providing an additional assistance of Rs. 918.50 per connection for other items (except hot plate) thus making the LPG startup cost virtually zero for the BPL families in Jharkhand.
The case study will be developed for two specific districts Ranchi from Jharkhand and Raipur from Chhattisgarh. Raipur (36% urban and 64% rural) and Ranchi (43% urban and 57% rural) represent a balanced mix of rural and urban population in the selected state will be useful to understand the major cooking fuel issues in both rural and urban areas. Moreover, 29.5% and 19.3% households use LPG as main source of cooking in Ranchi and Raipur district respectively (Census, 2011). Therefore, given the similar socioeconomic characteristics and different level of LPG penetration in these two districts will be good case for a comparative study. The study will use combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Sponsored by: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Gender Analysis for Project Appraisal
This study aimed to analyse the gender component in the energy sector for the appraisal of IGEN IV (Indo-German Energy Programme) and IGEF (Indo-German Energy Forum) programmes. The goal of the project was to develop a cross-cutting gender strategy to address the deficiencies in energy sector programme and support female empowerment for maximizing the program impact. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to understand the current situation of women in the energy sector and recommendations were given for achieving gender mainstreaming in the energy sector within the boundaries of IGEN IV and IGEF Programmes. Further, gender markers and gender indicators were identified and defined. The analysis for gender rating will help to develop gender strategy that moves beyond simply accounting for equal representation of female and male beneficiaries in all activities. The major recommendations that were suggested were gender neutral language, formation of women only forums, more workshops on sensitisation and more focus on identifying the role of women in propagating cleaner energy in their localities.
Supported By: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Providing Clean Cooking Fuel in India: Challenges and solutions
This research report discusses access to energy in the context of the Ghaziabad district, which is a predominantly urban district adjacent to New Delhi. The Kerosene Free Delhi (KFD) scheme launched by the Delhi government largely focused on facilitating households to gradually eliminate the use of kerosene by providing liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as a clean fuel alternative. In this study, we conducted a series of surveys and studies in Ghaziabad district, which is essentially a city with associated infrastructure and higher income levels. The report illuminates some unique findings that assist in creating linkages among energy, gender and socioeconomics.
The recommendations largely focus on laying a path to eliminate unequal distribution of cooking fuels among the economically challenged and to further strengthen the availability and distribution to all, including those in the remote areas. We hope that the Government of India, oil companies, the state government and other related authorities will find the results and recommendations helpful in enhancing the access to clean energy for cooking, especially to poor households. The government can use this study to design a nationwide LPG distribution plan.
Sponsored by International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Evaluation of the Scheme for Kerosene Free Delhi (KFD)”
The “Kerosene Free Delhi” scheme was launched in collaboration with three Oil marketing companies (BPCL, HPCL and IOCL) and Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Under the scheme, free gas connections along with LPG filled cylinders, two burner gas stove, regulator and Suraksha (safety) pipe were issued to the Jhuggi Ration Card (JRC), Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Antodaya Ann Yojana (AAY) ration card holders who were using kerosene oil for cooking. The scheme was intended to provide 356 thousand poor households with the initial capital support system in terms of free LPG connection and upfront costs, to switch to LPG as a cooking fuel. The households were required to pay for subsequent purchases of LPG cylinders.
This study undertaken by IRADe aims to evaluate the “Kerosene Free Delhi” scheme launched by the Government of Delhi. The broad objectives are the following:
1. To document the “Kerosene Free Delhi” scheme launched in NCT of Delhi in 2012.
2. To evaluate the accessibility and effectiveness of the scheme in terms of its welfare impact on intended beneficiaries as well as the issues faced during and after the implementation of the scheme.
3. To assess the scope for replication of this scheme by other State Governments.
Sponsored by Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) an initiative of IISD (International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)), Geneva, Switzerland
Report: https://irade.org/KFD Report_final.pdf
The Energy, Poverty and Gender Nexus in Himachal Pradesh, India: The Impact of Clean Fuel Access Policy on Women’s Empowerment
This study focused on poverty, gender and environment and health issues in Himachal Pradesh and involved a gender specific survey to address this issue. The study found women walk approximately 30 Kms in a month to collect fuel-wood. Primary survey estimated accessibility and use of clean fuel by households for 30 villages in two districts and a survey on the kerosene depots was also conducted to get the seller’s perspective of supply situation under Public Distribution System(PDS). It was found that the people in HP are willing to pay for Kerosene, the next fuel on the energy ladder above biofuels, but due to increased availability of LPG, the demand for kerosene has been on the decline. The profit margins in selling kerosene under PDS are fairly low as a result most sellers have other businesses, commonly ration shops and view this as a supplementary business.
Sponsored by DFID/KAR through ENERGIA of ETC Foundation
Gender Audit of National Energy Policies in India
This is a collaborative exercise to draw attention to the lack of gender concerns in National Energy Policies in India. The study was done by IRADe in collaboration with ENERGIA.
“Mainstreaming Gender in Energy Policy” 2006 -Background paper and presentation prepared for Expert Committee to formulate Energy Policy, Planning Commission, (GoI)
Gender & Climate Change
Several initiatives were funded by UNDP
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One of the first side events on Gender and Climate change was organized at COP 8; 2002, New Delhi. For this purpose, an issue paper was prepared, which is referred often.
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Later in 2008, an issue paper was written on Mainstreaming Gender in Climate Change: Policies, Programs paper was prepared which is circulated widely.
3 day Training Program was facilitated by IRADe for Asia-Pacific office of UNDP on mainstreaming gender in Climate Change at Sri Lanka.
PROJECT RELATED WORKSHOPS
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National Stakeholder Consultation on Gender Issues, MDGs and Poverty Alleviation for CSD 14th, 16th March 2006
Introduction: A half- day consultation was organized by IRADe in collaboration with the All India Women’s Conference funded by ENERGIA – the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy. Key issues were energy, millennium development Goals, poverty alleviation, and implementation of official National Energy policies. The participants supported recommendations drafted by IRADe in the National Paper and gave additional suggestions that poverty alleviation is about increasing people’s productivity, for which all issues of health, education, electricity and fuel need to be addressed.
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The Third ENERGIA National Focal Points(NFP) Meeting, 1-3 November 2006 at New Delhi
ENERGIA Asia Network in collaboration with IRADe organized the third ENERGIA National Focal Points Meeting. IRADe is active in advocating more attention to the non-commercial energy sector (fuel-wood) managed by women, which is the second largest energy source after coal. IRADe advocated bringing energy within one Km of rural habitants, and organized and participated in events related to United Nations Commission in Sustainable Development CSD (14 and 15). The group engaged in discussing and developing a set of monitoring criteria and National plans for each NFP.
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Reducing Drudgery of Women Carrying Biofuels, 2007-08: E-Discussion and Field surveys
IRADe is the National Focal Point (NFP) of ENERGIA-International network for Gender and Sustainable Energy. As a part of network activities, IRADe ran an e-debate with professionals from gender, energy and poverty on a common platform on certain identified issues to share best practices and develop ideas for gender-energy-poverty related research activities. The second level of the exercise was field survey of the suggestions received from focused group exercise, done in one village each in North India (Rajasthan) and South India (Karnataka) respectively by partners Social Policy Research Institute, Jaipur in North India and TIDE, Bangalore in Karnataka. The results of the survey brought to forefront the difference in opinions and willingness to adopt new ideas in two different geographical locations of India.