Amanda Marufu

I grew up in Zimbabwe, a country struggling with an energy crisis for the better half of two decades. Since I could remember, power would go out for hours on end, sometimes all day, and we would like it calmer for those few cherished periods when electricity was not in shortage. We would have to rely on candles and flashlights to see in the dark. It was always a challenge to keep the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and we would often have to go to bed early because there was no electricity to do anything else.

The electricity outages had a significant impact on my life. I could not study at night because there was no light, and I could not watch the television or listen to music to relax. I could not do my homework or chores because it was too dark. The situation made it difficult for me to concentrate and learn, especially considering that water availability depended on electricity. So, if there was not enough water stored up, I had to source for it before going to school with an unfinished assignment.

When I was younger, the schoolwork suffered the most, but now, the stakes are much higher, with 18-hour daily load-shedding cycles implemented in 2019, and now in 2023, Zimbabweans are experiencing 20-hour daily load-shedding cycles. This often means that by 5 or 6 am, power only returns for about 4-5 hours a night between 10 and 12 pm. 

The Reality of Trying to Survive With No Power

As a young woman faced with the reality of the high unemployment in my country, working online was a natural choice. Despite the availability of better opportunities and higher pay, my work suffers because my network provider depends on electricity to deliver a stable internet. I have often had to either miss deadlines or work late into the night to make up for the lost time - making planning quite tricky.

In all this, my mental health is not spared as I often feel stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. I worry about how I will get my work done, knowing that I can not slack because my family depends on the money I make.

In Zimbabwe, households wait until midnight when the electricity is returned to cook meals at midnight when electricity is back, which is something I used to do, only to end up burning everything, or being unable to work in that same limited timeframe. Now, I cook almost exclusively using gas. In the beginning, we would use it only when electricity was not available, but now it's almost all we use. I am also forced to feel grateful for the privileges I have even while I am mentally stressed because other women and girls have to walk long distances to collect firewood because that is all they can afford, which can be both dangerous and time-consuming. Some of our women have to cook over open fires, which can be a significant health hazard as it increases the risk of cancer, asthma, lung disease and pneumonia, but this isn't really considered in our communities. The energy crisis can also make it difficult to access healthcare, as hospitals and clinics already suffering from a lack of resources often may not have power either. This has also had a negative impact on women's businesses, as they are sometimes not able to operate their businesses without electricity.

Musika's (informal retail stalls), which make up a significant part of the Zimbabwe economy, suffer when food and perishables continue to go bad while the cost of operating alternative power sources is unattainable for most. Many women are also battling with sexual abuse and sexual harassment whilst trying to collect water for their families and it doesn't feel like there is a way to truly win. 

My partner and I both use gas and we often talk about how people, including ourselves, underestimate the danger having a gas tank in the house exposes us to. A reality that sinks in when you hear of entire families perishing to gas fires. 

So, this is a risk we just carry until maybe we build our own house and can build proper structures for it outside. I try not to think about it much, but when I do, it is just a spiral down to the bottom. I wish I could do something, besides being cautious, to reduce the risk. 

Hope in the Darkness

Despite the challenges of living in Zimbabwe during the energy crisis, I have found hope in the resilience of the Zimbabwean people. I am inspired by the way that women are coming together to support each other and find solutions to the challenges we face. I am also inspired by the young people who are using their creativity and innovation to find new ways to generate and use energy. I believe that with hope and determination, we can overcome the energy crisis and build a better future for Zimbabwe.

Examples like Wedza, in rural Zimbabwe, where solar-powered motorcycles provide income for poor women and ease their burdens. The women transport farm produce to markets farther from home, provide transportation services to villagers, and use motorcycles for household chores. The motorcycles ease the strain of domestic work while allowing the women to sell their produce further away for more money than they would get locally.

Solar has empowered me to some level because at least now I can charge my devices using solar when electricity is out, but that's only a quarter of the solution. Because as I said, the cellular network usually goes with the electricity, and quality affordable Wifi is not available all across Zimbabwe. 

Taking charge of how I cook by using gas has allowed me more control over my schedule and expenditure. I buy my electricity units, then not use much of them because of unavailability, but still have to source more money to buy gas. Now I only use gas and I am focused on building a future where we can power our home fully with solar, get water from a borehole, and have satellite internet solutions like Starlink so I can work even while being off the grid without worrying about the basics of living in Zimbabwe. 

Women's Efforts to Improving Energy Access in Africa

My struggle is not unique, African women are taking a number of steps to combat the energy crisis on their own. They are forming community groups to share resources and information, developing and implementing sustainable energy solutions, and advocating for policies that support women's access to energy. These efforts are helping to improve the lives of women and their families, and they are also helping to build a more sustainable future for Africa.

For example, in Kenya, women's groups have formed to purchase and install solar panels in their communities. This has provided access to clean and reliable energy for cooking, lighting, and charging phones. In Uganda, women are using biogas to cook and heat water. This has reduced their reliance on firewood, which is a major source of air pollution. And in Nigeria, women are advocating for policies that would make it easier for women to access energy. This includes policies that would provide subsidies for solar panels and other renewable energy technologies.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that African women are working to combat the energy crisis. Their efforts are helping to improve the lives of women and their families, and they are also helping to build a more sustainable future for Africa. Despite this, the reality is the energy crisis is a major challenge for women across Africa. 

Whether it is Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana or other nations, women are disproportionately affected by the lack of reliable energy sources. This has a significant impact on their lives, their families, and their communities. Policymakers and governments need to do more to acknowledge and address the energy crisis and its impact on women.

They need to provide access to reliable energy sources, such as solar panels and biogas, to women in rural areas. They need to invest in energy efficiency measures, such as insulation and energy-efficient appliances, in homes and businesses owned by women. Governments need to promote energy conservation measures, such as turning off lights and unplugging appliances when they're not being used and develop policies that support women-owned businesses, such as tax breaks and loans, to help them cope with the challenges of the energy crisis.

By taking these steps, policymakers and governments can help to improve the lives of women and girls affected by the energy crisis. They can also help to build a more sustainable and equitable future for all.