What Role Can Gender Research Play in Influencing Power Sector Policy?
Careful assessment of the few examples of research influence on policy showed that the potential role of gender research on power sector policy making could be considerably expanded. It seems likely that gender researchers can have a more effective impact on the policy process if they plan a strategy that is based upon a thorough understanding of external influences, national vested interests and attitudes, and windows of opportunity. Their key messages need to be relevant, credible, convincing and well-represented; and appropriate links, alliances and chains of legitimacy should be established between beneficiaries, gender researchers, NGOs, policy-makers and other stakeholders. Evidence on gender: credibility and communication A critical question for researchers to ask is what evidence is required for: (a) motivating policy makers to engender power sector policy, and (b) for the actual process of integrating gender into power sector planning and implementation? An important tool for
