A Conceptualization for the Integration and Evaluation of Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Project Development

This paper aims to contribute towards increasingly effective and efficient gender mainstreaming implementation on the project level of an energy system through the proposition of a matrix conceptualization that seeks to illustrate how gender mainstreaming could potentially be integrated in the energy project development process. The research employs existing theoretical and conceptual research on gender mainstreaming and energy project development to infer and propose a matrix conceptualization that provides an integration between three key gender mainstreaming objectives and three gender equality action areas. When applied to an energy project development cycle, the proposed conceptualization serves as a foundational, theoretical starting point for decision-support approaches that evaluate gender mainstreaming implementation in energy project development. The proposed approach underwent an evaluation process that consists of verification with subject matter experts to verify that the matrix conceptualization is fit for its intended purpose of use. The findings of the evaluation showcased that the matrix conceptualization provides a sufficient means for the integration of gender mainstreaming in energy project development and is thus a satisfactory foundation for the future development of decision-support methods that evaluate gender mainstreaming implementation in energy project development to contribute towards sustainable energy and gender equality