Decolonizing Power: Integrating Gender Justice in Sustainable Energy Frameworks in Sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa ranks high on the list of regions with the highest levelsof gender inequality, performing poorly in gender balance in crucial indices,including educational attainment, healthcare, political empowerment, andeconomic participation. This level of gender inequality is also evident in theregion’s energy governance, such that women across the continent aredisproportionately represented in careers and leadership positions in theenergy sectors of their respective countries, less knowledgeable and involvedin household, community, and national energy decisions, anddisproportionately burdened by energy-related domestic chores.Consequently, women lack equitable access to energy resources, have littleor no influence over energy policies, and their needs are not considered incrucial decisions related to energy access, affordability, and sustainability.This article explores the causes, effects, and potential ways of reducing thesegender disparities. This is achieved by exploring the power structuresresponsible for the disparities from the perspective of various feministtheories, including the feminist theory, the matrix of domination framework,and the black feminist thought theory, and frameworks. Policy changes toaddress the pervasive gender disparities in the energy sector are proposedand potential problems that may arise in efforts to mainstream gender inenergy policies highlighted.