Women in India traditionally have had limited access to mechanization compared to men, even within family-based occupations, owing to the gendered socio-economic barriers that deprive women of decision-making control and access to credit in economic activities. Lack of mechanization compels women to operate at low levels of productivity and high levels of drudgery. This restricts their income and available time preventing them from investing in their capabilities and families more meaningfully
Thisreport discusses how energy enterprises have supported mechanization for women in rural India. For enterprises in the energy sector, it offers ideas and data for mainstreaming the gender lens in their business and experience gains from it. The report also informs other stakeholders (donors, policymakers, financiers and incubators) on how to support such enterprises, include women as end users of energy products, and address the barriers presented within the realm of social norms, market approaches and government policies.