Feminism: Women and Just Energy Transition in the Global South
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-9515/17278Keywords:
climate change, eco-socialist feminism, equity , feminism, fossil fuels , renewable energy , womenAbstract
I examine two aspects of feminism and the fossil fuel industry in the Global South. The first of these deals with discrimination against women in the fossil fuel industry. It considers how the gradual transition to renewable energy without adequate safety nets will exacerbate the socioeconomic plight of the women who are dependent on the fossil fuel industry. The second aspect considers the limited advocacy by the feminist movement to agitate for economic policies that ensure that the energy transition enhances gender relations and the welfare of women. The methodology adopted is a critical analysis of primary and secondary literature and a case study to illustrate the economic condition of women in the post-fossil fuel era. This approach is used to shed light on the weakened position of women in the energy sector. The research relies on eco-socialist feminism theory as the foundational concept. It is observed that, notwithstanding the plethora of regional and (inter)national human rights instruments that seek to empower women, this demography is still marginalised. A disproportionate percentage is somewhat left behind in the movement towards green energy and sustainable development. To that end, suggestions are made on how women could exert their agency and voice in the energy transition process.
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