Women in Modern Energy Cooking

The transition to modern energy cooking—including electric and biogas cookstoves—has the potential to empower women, enhance household health, and drive economic growth. The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) highlights that enabling access to clean cooking fuels and technologies would free up 10 hours per week for women, allowing them to invest in income-generating activities, self development, or education. Furthermore, shifting to clean cooking could play a pivotal role in addressing climate change, as traditional biomass cooking contributes significantly to forest degradation and greenhouse gas emissions.

This report is grounded in extensive primary research conducted under the Women in Modern Energy Cooking (WMEC) strand. The research methodology encompassed a combination of panel discussions, stakeholder consultations, direct interviews, and targeted surveys with both women and men actively involved in the clean cooking domain. The insights derived from these engagements provide a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted challenges that women face in transitioning to clean cooking solutions. Additionally, the findings highlight the significant economic and social benefits associated with the adoption of modern energy cooking technologies. The report also identifies critical interventions necessary to effectively integrate gender and social inclusion considerations into clean cooking policies and programs. These insights are intended to inform policymakers, practitioners, and development partners aiming to accelerate the adoption of inclusive and sustainable cooking solutions.