Energy Poverty and Gender Inequality in West Africa : An International Human Rights Law Perspective

Poverty is a global concern that affects human societies notwithstanding race, religion, language or ethnicity. Energy is central to personal development of the woman and girl child and very critical to the realization of their full potentials and well being. There is a correlation between energy and poverty. While poverty means the inability to afford basic needs of life, being energy poor means financial incapacitation of a person or community to afford basic energy needs necessary to live a meaningful life or enjoy basic needs of life. Energy Poverty is very detrimental to women and relates to gender inequality. It creates conditions that negate women’s well being, hinders realization of their full potentials and enjoy their social-economic rights and privileges. Should women have equal access to energy with men, from infancy, they would leverage on varied opportunities that energy access offers to attain good education, self esteem, and personal development. These could empower West African women and increase their capacity to contribute meaningfully to economic, social, cultural and political developments of their communities and countries. This study establishes a linkage between energy and poverty. It also examines the nexus between energy poverty and gender inequality. It interrogates energy poverty as promoting vulnerability and violence against women; Unequal treatment and gender imbalance; Women’s health and right to life; Domestic and gender based-violence; Energy poverty also impacts on women’s right to access to energy, socio-economic rights, right to personal dignity, are also considered. The study narrows down to two West African countries case studies; Nigeria and Gambia. It also examines African Charter on Human and People’s Rights as well as Beijing Declaration on Women’s Rights. The study adopts an analytical research approach and makes necessary recommendations