Grassroots women leaders have called for greater gender inclusion in Bangladesh's renewable energy policy, saying the country's transition to clean energy cannot be just or sustainable unless women's lived experiences, practical realities and leadership are reflected in policymaking and implementation.
The call came during a three-day training program titled Strengthening Women Leadership and Gender Inclusion in Renewable Energy, held in Dhaka from June 28 to 30 under the Women's Empowerment and Energy (WEE) Project of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF).
Twenty-three women leaders representing women-led civil society organizations from across the country took part in discussions on renewable energy potential, the energy crisis, women's health risks, local entrepreneurship opportunities and the need for a gender-inclusive renewable energy policy.
Nasrin Sultana of Coastal Youth Development Jubo Sangstha in Kaliganj, Satkhira, said salinity, cyclones, waterlogging, and electricity and energy shortages are closely interconnected in coastal areas.
"During disasters or prolonged power outages, the burden of cooking, collecting water and caring for children and older persons falls most heavily on women," she said.
"Solar power, safe cooking energy and small-scale local energy solutions need to be expanded in our areas."
Mehnaj Mala, executive director of KASMAS in Natore, said her area has significant potential for solar energy, solar irrigation, agricultural processing and renewable energy use in small businesses.
"If women receive training, easy access to finance, market linkages and technical support, they will not remain only energy users," she said.
"They can also work as local entrepreneurs, technical support providers and service providers."
Mani Elizabeth Chakma, executive director of Women's Hope Foundation in Chittagong, said energy shortages and health risks from unclean fuels directly affect women's lives.
"Using firewood, straw or smoke-producing fuels causes eye irritation, breathing difficulties and loss of time for women," she said.
"This training has helped us understand that when clean energy, affordable technology and women's leadership move forward together, health risks will decrease, time will be saved, income opportunities will grow, and women and communities will become economically stronger."
Banasree Mitra Neogi, acting executive director of MJF, said women's experiences and leadership must be incorporated into renewable energy investment, technology and policy decisions.
"Bangladesh's renewable energy potential is growing, but women's participation must be ensured at every stage of policy development and implementation," she said.
"Through this training, grassroots women leaders will be better equipped to present the energy realities, potential, challenges and demands of their communities in a more organized manner."
She said the training would strengthen women's advocacy capacity and contribute to developing a gender-inclusive renewable energy policy and supporting a just energy transition in Bangladesh.
The training featured sessions facilitated by Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy, lead for Youth and Social Cohesion; program managers Mohammed Iftekher Hossain, Md Ahsanul Wahed and Nasrin Ahmed; project manager Mousumi Yesmin; and Fahim Reza Shovon, manager for Communication and Documentation, at Manusher Jonno Foundation.
Participants also called for greater access to technical training, affordable finance, entrepreneurship support, safe working environments and meaningful decision-making opportunities to make Bangladesh's renewable energy sector more inclusive and effective.
