Gender mainstreaming in the energy sector: Applications in Madhya Pradesh, India

The ENERGIA gender methodology has been designed as a framework for energy sector planning. Its application aims at reducing the risk of gender inequality as a result from project activities and outcomes, and supports the case that both women and men benefit from energy projects.

The methodology has been used by the Energy Department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh, India, as part of the Asian Development Bank’s Regional Technical Assistance initiative Enhancing Energy Based Livelihoods for Women Micro-Entrepreneurs . It resulted in over 20,000 women entrepreneurs trained on business improvement through enhanced energy access and more than 500 enterprises adopting electricity based improvements. The initiative has reaffirmed the proposition that with appropriate enabling conditions, women can make significant contributions to the energy sector and use energy as an instrument for enhancing their livelihoods.