Intersecting Inequalities: Mapping Energy Poverty and Women’s Empowerment Across India

Energy challenges in India are particularly acute, with energy poverty affecting households in multidimensional ways. Limited access to affordable and clean cooking fuels, combined with constrained women’s agency, exacerbates time poverty and health risks and restricts women’s participation in paid employment, undermines women’s empowerment. While existing studies show a close link between energy access and gender outcomes in the Indian context; however, substantial regional disparities persist. This study examines the relationship between household energy access and women’s empowerment in India at national and state levels using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). The study employs descriptive statistical methods and the Concentration Index (CI) to assess inequalities in access to clean cooking fuel and electricity and their association with key empowerment indicators. The findings reveal pronounced interstate disparities, with southern and western states showing higher energy access, while central and eastern states continue to lag. Improved energy access is associated with greater women’s decision-making autonomy, higher participation in paid employment, and improved access to financial and digital resources. The results underscore the need for state-specific policies to expand clean energy access in lagging regions and strengthen women’s economic empowerment.