Electricity access linkages to sustainable development goals in rural Sudan

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of a lack of electricity services on social and economic development in the context of patriarchal, rural Sudan. Quantitative data were gathered from key informant interviews in four rural villages across three different states (n = 240). Not having access to electricity adversely affects four main variables: (i) health, (ii) education, (iii) gender equality, and (iv) income generation. A multiple logistic regression model assessed school attendance of all boys or girls in a household as a function of declared household income, survey respondent education level, number of children, number of hours per day of household chores, and hours per day of biomass collection (a task that girls usually undertake). Boys are observed to be more likely to attend school than girls regardless of household income; their attendance likelihood increases with the number of children in the household (which we attribute to the greater likelihood of girls being in a household to undertake tasks). Increased biomass collection time is seen to increase the likelihood of boys’ attendance to school as this is typically seen as a female task. Girls are primarily required to undertake chores which reduces school attendance. Girls’ attendance also appears dependent on a higher household income (Odds Ratio 1.24, p value 0.052). The likelihood of attendance at school for each additional hour of required household chores was reduced by 22% for boys and 10% for girls. In relation to accessing health services, (traditional vs. modern), we observed no influence of household income suggesting social norms play a strong role here.

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ORCID for Patrick James: orcid.org/0000-0002-2694-7054

ORCID for Abubakr Bahaj: orcid.org/0000-0002-0043-6045

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