Work

The Gender of Fossil Fuels: Oil and Domestic Perils in Mandate Palestine

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT This article explores the gender dynamics behind the rise of kerosene – an oil derivative – as the main domestic fuel in Mandate Palestine. It argues that these dynamics were constitutive in determining who began to use oil, where and for what purposes, in turn demonstrating that women in Palestine were the promoters and targets of a campaign to introduce kerosene for cooking and laundry. Notions about gender roles attached to different domestic habits were tied to class and settler‐colonial hierarchies, resulting in a differential and unequal adoption of kerosene and the hazards its use entailed amongst Arab and Jewish women.

Source: Gender & History

DOI: 10.1111/1468-0424.12835

Author: Shira Pinhas

Institution: Princeton University

Language: English

Topic: Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Affordable and clean energy, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350