Gender Equity in Decentralized Energy System (A Study of Nayagaun VDC of Kavrepalanchowk District)

Abstract

Women comprises more than 50 percent of the total population who have indigenous knowledge on the traditional fuel. They are the primary producer, user and the manager of the cooking fuel and they are thus vulnerable to health hazards by the smoke produced by fuel wood. Thus the Decentralized Energy System (DES) acts as the catalyst for rural development making the work simple and less time consuming which needs active participation of villagers. This programme launched by Rural Energy Development Programme (REDP) has helped reduced women’s work burden with the supportive hands from the male members of their family with the strategies of social mobilization, awareness raising on gender equity basis. The study is limited at the assessment on the DES implemented in Nayagaun VDC of Kavrepalanchowk district, in terms of gender equity.The VDC is situated at the north-east part of the district with the total population of 5141 of which 2571 are female.It tried to excavate the hindrance of the programme during its implementation while providing equity and opportunity to both the gender. It further tried to find out the achievements and discontents of the beneficiaries, especially women, through survey with structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and observation. Hence, it would be expected to respond the silent question, "Has DES really benefited the targeted group and has it been successful in achieving its target?" The study found that some the biogas and improved cooking stove (ICS) benefited people are dissatisfied with the site selection for the installation of both the energies. Similarly,those using ICS commented that there is neither much reduction in the time of cooking norr eduction in the time for washing dishes. They found the lack of commitment fulfilled by the concerned organization. The compulsory participation of one male and one female member of each family has played a vital role in making them participate in social gatherings, development activities,forming cooperatives, capacity development, decision making power and others. The group formation to establish cooperatives have helped to develop the habit of saving for future.Women’s involvement in decision making is satisfactory which was not possible before the programme. Earning sufficiency is not found to be improved despite various skill development trainings were provided due to the lack of market facilities, the production cost, the price of the products and their quality.The concern organization is responsible to some extend in this matter that they could not fulfill the commitment made to the villagers.the two case studies I have presented also proved this fact. The implementation of programmes with the participation of male and female on equity base has contributed in changing the irrole in performing different activities. However the household chores are still limited in the responsibility of the women. It is no doubt that certain responsibilities have been increased for example in feeding biogas plant. No significant change is found in the responsibility of women in cooking, child rearing and washing dishes. However, in ethnic group like Tamang, involvement of both the male and female is found in all these activities. The involvement of both male and female is found in fuel wood collection, income generation activities and kitchen gardening. Likewise in biogas feeding, female still have a great role. Similarly, in decision making, male have still dominant role however, the participation of both the male and female is found satisfactory.The most significant aspect of DES is the improvement in the health status of women and children who spend most of their time inside the house.Similarly, save in fuel wood consumption is significantly high in all households. Being male dominant society, they firstly raised voice against the programme whichdemanded the participation of male and female in equity basis. Later, they supported itwhen they were convinced by the chairman of DDC and the community mobilizers for thecost of the development of their village. The findings of the positive and negative impacts of DES will thushelp the concernedorganizations to realize their shortcomings that they need to take into consideration in thefuture for the implementation of any new development programmes. The outcomes of thestudy will act as a guideline in the future for the replication of such programmes in remoteareas with wider potentiality of such energy, with no connection of national grid within fiveyears later.