Researchers find connections between improved cookstoves and reduced domestic violence in Uganda

Presented by Pulte Institute for Global Development

The improved cookstove is a longstanding intervention in Uganda, where 95% of households use solid fuel to cook their food over stone fireplaces. Introducing clean and efficient cookstoves can provide a variety of benefits, including: improved air quality in the home, faster cooking time, reduced fuel usage, and overall tastier meals. In 2014, the Hilton Foundation engaged a team of researchers from the Pulte Institute for Global Development to measure the impact of clean cookstove interventions in the Apac District of Uganda.

“When discussing the project, the implementing partner briefly mentioned that cookstoves might actually reduce gender based violence as well,” said Juan Carlos Guzmán, former Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist with the Pulte Institute. “I was both intrigued and skeptical, and convinced the team to measure this as part of the project.”