Gender equality and social inclusion: lessons and good practices from clean cooking programmes
ENERGIA
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Abstract: This report presents a comprehensive synthesis of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) lessons and good practices from clean cooking programmes implemented under the Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Clean Cooking (SEE ? Clean Cooking) initiative. Authored by ENERGIA, the document draws on field experiences, interviews with 21 practitioners, and literature reviews across eight countries including Kenya. It highlights the critical role of women and socially excluded groups as users, entrepreneurs, and influencers in clean cooking markets. The report is structured around two pillars: demand-side engagement and supply-side empowerment. On the demand side, it explores how gender norms influence purchasing decisions, technology adoption, and sustained use of higher-tier cooking (HTC) solutions. On the supply side, it documents barriers faced by women-led enterprises, such as limited access to finance, mobility constraints, and exclusion from technical