Better power supply improves rural women's autonomy, safety, finds study

IIT-Kanpur researchers found that improved electricity supply enhances rural women's mobility, participation in household decision-making, health, marital choices, reproductive autonomy, and safety

A recent study has shown that improved and reliable electricity supply advances women’s autonomy, including their mobility, participation in household decision-making, health, marital choices, reproductive autonomy, and safety, especially in rural areas.

 

The study, Community Electrification and Women’s Autonomy, conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur’s Rikhia Bhukta, Debayan Pakrashi, and Sarani Saha, along with University of Colorado’s Ashish Sedai, found that “the power of reliable community electricity extends into the home as well, enabling women to take on more decision-making roles.” Sedai is now with the University of Texas at Arlington, while Pakrashi is with the Indian Statistical Institute,