Abstract for: Modelling gendered innovation for the security of energy services in poor urban environments

The security of energy services remains a challenge in poor urban Africa. Many households in these environments lack adequate energy technological devices to match modern energy carriers to fulfil their energy service needs. The lack of contextually suitable household energy devices often affects females the most because of the culturally embedded gender roles at the household level. Despite the disproportionate gender roles in energy services, gender dimensions remain covert in the energy products innovation process. We posit that a conscious and representative gender inclusion in the innovation and solution design process, to provide energy services, can help reduce the level of unfulfilled energy services of households in poor urban environments. The study explored how gendered innovation augments energy innovation and addresses the problem relating to the security or fulfilment of energy services of households in poor urban environments. The study used system dynamics modelling to define the dynamic feedback loops, encompassing the security of energy services, households in poor urban environments, and gendered innovation. The study developed a model template which uses hypothetical data to illustrate the dynamics of gendered innovation and fulfilment of energy services. The results show that a gender-sensitive, user-centric innovation can help fulfil household energy services.