Impacts and Effects of Improved Stoves on Time Use and Quality in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to assess changes in time use patterns for women in rural Kenya who received an intervention wood-fueled cookstove, considering their contributions toward the generation of household income, their household chores and child-rearing responsibilities, and any additional demands on their time and labor in a standard day. The study specifically focused on changes in time use brought about by an intervention stove in areas of fuel collection, fuel preparation, and cooking. The study used an innovative set of qualitative methods, including focus group discussions and photo-elicitation wherein study participants illustrated their priorities and experiences through photographs.