Una aproximación desde el paradigma de la sostenibilidad de la vida a los proyectos de electrificación rural en el marco de la cooperación internacional

ABSTRACT Cross-University Master Degree in Human Rights Cross-Culture and Development Universidad Pablo de Olavide Universidad Internacional de Andalucía Author: CRISTINA ALONSO SAAVEDR Counselor: YAYO HERRERO LÓPEZ Abstract: in the current investigation work, we will analyse the right to the energy supply, as a leading good to other improvements in decent housing, education, health, etc. We will also observe how is the impact of the supply in the different aspects of daily life in the communities and specially in their women. The case study will be developed into the frame of the international development cooperation, taking several projects of rural electrification in the South coordinated by develompent NGOs from the North. The analysis will make a panoramic and historical revision of the evolution of the international develompent cooperation and the different approaches from a gender perspective. Later on we will deepen the concept of Energy and the evolution of its consumption along the Human History, being specially aware of not skipping the fact that the use of women bodies as an energy resource is essential to mantain the current economical system. We are in the need of a different paradigma that questions the basis of Capitalism and Patriarchy, because here is where the hegemonic concepts are hold. Thus, we will propose an analysis framework with an Ecofeminist approach to obtain sustainability and we will use it to analyse the projects of rural electrification. The critical Human Rights theory defines the rights as fighting processes that pursue an egalitarian access to material and immaterial goods. Taking this into account, the energy supply is understood as a material good that will lead to the obtention of other material and immaterial goods. Thus, the technology implemented in the communities for the energy supply will go together with a fighting process to get an egalitarian access, along with processes of social transformation. So, the technology installed must mean a real emancipation tool for the community and especially for women. This emancipation will depend on the process rather than on the transference as a simple technological aim. This is why the development NGOs that work for the defense of the rights in this communities suppling them energy must go beyond a simpe technified approach. That means the need of focusing in the process, letting the community participate and reviewing the models of participation from a gender perspective. The goal must then be the satisfaction of the basic needs of the population and especially the real needs of women, because they have been hidden under gender roles. Besides, the implementation of technology cannot forget aspects as environmental, social and gender justice for the effective and real achievement of the desired sustainability.