Energy and gender Issues in Rural Sustainable Development

FAO is looking at ways in which increased attention to energy and gender linkages can help countries promote sustainable agricultural production and rural development, as well as work towards meeting the targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals. This paper discusses some gender issues and energy linkages within the international sustainable development context and presents recommendations on ways of incorporating gender sensitivity into energy and development policies and planning processes. It is FAO’s hope that this will promote a wider understanding of the importance of recognising gender differences in decision-making on energy and rural development, and stimulate new attention to the challenges identified here.