In 2005, ENERGIA published empirical evidence of the linkages between gender, energy and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This is an overview of the general linkages that exist:

MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty
Improving access to clean energy fuels will ensure that women's burden to provide water and food for their families is reduced.

MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education
Girls are more likely to be held back than boys in terms of primary education as they help their mothers to collect fuel for household needs.

MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Better household energy services frees women from extreme household drudgery, increases their educational and employment opportunities, and allows them to participate fully in community activities.

MDG 4, 5 & 6: Improve child and maternal health, and combat diseases
Cleaner fuels reduce respiratory diseases, purified water reduces water borne diseases, energy can power lighting, refrigerating of medicine and vaccines, water pumps etc. for health centres.

MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Women have an impact on environmental sustainability due to their traditional roles as managers and collectors of fuelwood.