Stella Tereka Calls for Gender-Sensitive Energy Transitions
At the NorDev25 Conference on Solidarity, Social Justice, and Sustainability, GRÓ GEST PhD candidate Stella Tereka presented key insights from her recent research on gendered dimensions of clean energy transitions in rural Uganda in front of an audience of academics, policymakers, and civil society representatives from more than 20 countries. Speaking on the panel Achieving Energy for All: Just Transitions to Electricity and Clean Cooking, Tereka emphasized that energy transformation is not merely a technical or economic challenge, but a deeply social and gendered one.
Behind the Firewood: Gender Roles and Energy Choices
Drawing on fieldwork conducted in West-Nile, Buganda North, and Busoga, Tereka shared findings from her article recently published in the Journal of Energy for Sustainable Development. Despite modest income growth, over 98% of rural Ugandan households still rely on biomass—mainly firewood and charcoal—for cooking.
Her study revealed that in more than half of the households, women and girls are solely responsible for firewood collection, a time-consuming and sometimes dangerous task that limits their opportunities for education and paid work. Yet, energy-related decisions remain largely in the hands of men, with only 18% of households reporting women as key decision-makers.
Cultural norms further constrain women’s participation in energy transitions. In some communities, such as Buganda, women are discouraged from building kitchens—spaces central to adopting improved cooking technologies.
When Knowledge and Networks Spark Change
Tereka’s research also highlights the positive role of community-based networks. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and farmers’ cooperatives have helped mobilize local resources, spread awareness about clean energy, and challenge restrictive cultural norms. Families with diversified incomes and stronger climate awareness were significantly more likely to adopt cleaner technologies.
A Call for Collective Action
During the panel discussions, participants drew parallels between Uganda and their own national contexts, reflecting the global resonance of Tereka’s work. She underscored that equitable transitions must not shift the burden onto women alone:
“We cannot expect rural communities, especially women, to bear the cost of transition alone. Change must be collective, and it must be just.”
Looking Ahead
Tereka expressed gratitude to the NorDev25 organizers, her co-authors, and the GRÓ GEST programme for their support. She continues to collaborate with policymakers and local leaders to ensure her findings inform inclusive, gender-sensitive energy policies.
“Research is only one part of the puzzle,” she reflected. “It must lead to action—especially action that uplifts the voices of women at the heart of the energy story.”