AERC Urges Policy Action on Clean Cooking Energy
AERC Urges Policy Action on Clean Cooking Energy
Gendered Impact of Rising Fuel Prices
A new study by the Africa Economic Research Consortium (AERC) has called on policymakers to prioritise access to clean energy solutions, especially for women in rural areas.
The research, titled “Gendered Differences in Household Cooking Coping Strategies for the Russia-Ukraine War in Kenya,” shows that the war disrupted supply chains. This disruption led to higher fuel, food, and fertiliser prices, which widened existing gender disparities.
Speaking at an AERC side event during the SPARC & Jameel Observatory Joint Conference in Nairobi, AERC Executive Director Prof. Victor Murinde stressed the urgency of policy interventions.
He noted that global shocks, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, often translate into severe household-level burdens across Africa.
“The persistence of high food and fertiliser prices continues to affect vulnerable households. Our research shows that women, already struggling from COVID-19 impacts, faced further pressure from rising fuel costs,” Prof. Murinde said.
AERC Urges Policy Action on Clean Cooking Energy
Women Carry a Heavier Burden
The study revealed that women are more likely to switch to cheaper, traditional cooking fuels during economic shocks. This exposes them to longer hours spent collecting fuel and preparing meals compared to men.
About two-thirds of households that stopped using kerosene switched to LPG, a cleaner option. However, fewer women than men made this switch. Only 8% of households turned to firewood, mostly in rural areas, where women were more likely than men to rely on it.
Prof. Murinde emphasised that ensuring affordable clean cooking energy for women in rural areas must be a policy priority.
The working paper, authored by Onyango Dickson Wandeda, Macharia Kenneth Kigundu, Ngui Dianah, and Maloi Lanoi, also assessed gender differences in time savings and the effectiveness of fuel subsidies introduced to cushion households.
The Nairobi event brought together policymakers, NGOs, UN agencies, development banks, and research organisations.
Discussions highlighted the urgency of turning research into practical solutions that protect low-income households. The findings provide a roadmap for policies that promote food security, gender equity, and sustainable growth across Africa.
