Renewable energy policies in Bangladesh should go beyond power generation and ensure the meaningful inclusion of women and marginalized communities, speakers said at a policy dialogue in Dhaka on Thursday.
They said the needs, rights and participation of women, local communities and socially excluded groups should be explicitly incorporated into the Draft National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (2026–2030) and the Rooftop Solar Operation and Maintenance Guidelines to support an inclusive clean energy transition.
The recommendations were made during a strategic policy dialogue titled "Strengthening Renewable Energy Governance: Review of Energy Policy Related Instruments for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion," organized by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) under its Women's Empowerment and Energy (WEE) project.
The dialogue reviewed the two draft policy instruments from the perspective of gender equality and social inclusion and explored ways to integrate these issues into future renewable energy governance.
Banasree Mitra Neogi, director of Rights and Governance Programs at Manusher Jonno Foundation, said the existing draft strategy and guidelines do not adequately recognize the participation of women entrepreneurs and marginalized communities.
She said: "These documents have been reviewed through the lens of gender equality and social inclusion. Civil society must continue to play the role of a pressure group."
Presenting the keynote paper, Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy, lead of Youth and Social Cohesion at MJF, said the preparation of the two draft policy documents lacked sufficient consultation with relevant stakeholders.
He said women and marginalized communities have received limited attention in the proposed policies and called for special incentives, easier access to financing and broader consultations involving the government, civil society, the private sector, development partners and experts.
Shahnaj Siddiqui, general secretary of the Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra (BNSK), said the policy documents should include comparative analyses showing both the benefits of including marginalized groups and the consequences of excluding them. She also proposed incorporating renewable energy education into school curricula.
ASM Munir, company secretary of the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), said renewable energy policies should extend beyond solar home systems and consider the broader ecosystem, including distribution networks, importers, consumers and wider social impacts.
Jannatul Ferdaus, research officer at Ethical Trading Initiative Bangladesh, recommended clearly defining the role of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in implementing the proposed policies to ensure women's concerns are effectively addressed.
Sazzad Hossain, assistant vice-president of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), said the current drafts had largely been prepared from a technical perspective.
Sadia Jahan Rothi, environmental management and youth engagement specialist at the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), Brac University, proposed introducing practical renewable energy laboratories in educational institutions to encourage girls' participation in the sector.
Md Newazul Moula, coordinator (Energy Governance) at Transparency International Bangladesh, said a comprehensive strategy should include clear background information, strategic priorities and a time-bound implementation roadmap, alongside provisions for social audits, public participation, transparency and accountability.
Representing ActionAid Bangladesh, Marzia Islam called for improved public services, a dedicated helpline where necessary and a clear roadmap for battery management to prevent environmental pollution caused by unsafe disposal.
Hasan Mehedi, chief executive of Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), said agriculture presents significant opportunities for renewable energy expansion, but women and marginalized communities remain largely excluded from planning and target-setting.