A Review of Energy and Gender Poverty Nexus in South Africa

About 15% of South African households lack access to electricity from the mains, most of whom are found in the rural areas and informal settlements. This energy poor population consists 57% women and 43% men, with Limpopo province having the greatest share in the country. Energy poverty has led to gender poverty as women and girls are faced with the task of collecting and using firewood and other unclean energy sources to meet their households' energy needs. Therefore, they are exposed to challenges such as health hazards, premature deaths, time poverty, physical hazards, etc. The challenges facing electrification through grid extension in the country has made more women and girls to be found in the energy-gender-poverty nexus. Hence, there is need to explore modern, clean, reliable and affordable electricity through decentralised renewable energy sources, with accompanying policies, in order to mitigate energy and gender poverty in South Africa.