Energy Poverty, Justice, and Gender in Latin America—Understanding the Intersection

In this first chapter of “Energy Poverty, Justice, and Gender in Latin America,” we present a comprehensive overview of the region’s energy poverty, energy justice, and their gendered connections. Official data shows that some countries, particularly in Central America, lead the way in energy poverty, while others are making efforts to reduce it. Despite political discourse in some countries celebrating near-universal access to electricity, there are still populations without adequate access. We also examine academic efforts to measure and identify who is considered energy-poor and discuss the existing methodologies used for this purpose. The chapter explores the concept of energy justice in Latin America, highlighting the limited number of studies that have addressed the issue and underscoring the urgent need for more in-depth studies. It also provides an overview of the gender landscape in the region and explores the intersection of gender, energy poverty and justice. While the intersection of these areas has been under-researched, this chapter demonstrates a clear need and opportunity to advance the analysis of these linkages. We present studies and data that show how women are disproportionately affected due to their overrepresentation in low-income households, the unequal burden of unpaid domestic work, and traditional gender roles. This chapter highlights the significant research gap in understanding gender issues related to energy justice and energy poverty in the region. Finally, we discuss key challenges and opportunities for addressing these issues. As Latin America advances in its energy transition, integrating principles of energy justice is essential to address historical inequities and ensure that the benefits of new energy technologies are widely and equitably shared among all communities. This chapter advocates for inclusive and equitable energy policies that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 5 (gender equality), to promote a just and inclusive energy transition.