Indian Economy News

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

  • IBEF
  • January 8, 2025

Improved and reliable electricity significantly enhances women’s autonomy, particularly in rural areas, by advancing mobility, participation in household decision-making, health, marital choices, reproductive autonomy, and safety. A study titled Community Electrification and Women’s Autonomy by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the University of Colorado highlights that dependable community electricity enables women to take on greater decision-making roles. The study analysed data from surveys and sources, including the Indian Human Development Survey, National Crime Records Bureau reports, and National Family Health Survey-5 from 2019–21, spanning over two decades. 

The study found that better-lit streets and public spaces reduce the risk of violence against women, with a 0.8% decline in rapes for every additional 10 hours of electricity. Women’s mobility increased by 0.44 standard deviations between 2004–2012, enabling them to work, study, and socialise without fear. Reliable electricity also fosters household decision-making, with a 4% rise in contraceptive use and improved health autonomy through better access to medical treatment and reduced reliance on harmful biomass fuels. However, challenges persist in rural areas where power outages and unreliable night-time supply hinder progress. Researchers emphasise that improving electricity reliability is crucial for fostering gender equality and social inclusion, urging policymakers to treat energy access as a driver of social progress rather than merely a technical upgrade. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.

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