In the introduction to this publication, ENERGIA policy advisor and editor of this pubication Gail Karlsson writes, “In many developing countries, especially in the poorest areas, most energy currently comes from traditional biomass fuels such as wood, charcoal and agricultural wastes - and collection and managing these fuels is strictly ‘women’s business’.” She calls on national energy and development policy-makers to acknowledge the links between women’s work, national economics and energy; as well as make more gender-focused investments and initiatives, with greater and more diverse invo

The Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) has prepared a gender profile, Country Gender Analysis, for each country where they have a programme of co-operation. Each report is an overview of the situation of women in a certain country and analyses economic, political and socio-cultural aspects as well as policies and activities of civil society actors, the government and other donors. The objective is to assist in integrating gender in their programmes and policies and to identify and support local initiatives. This particular Country Gender Analysis focuses on Guinea-Bissau.