As Bangladesh steps into a new political chapter with the promise of an Upper House adding fresh dimensions to governance, the national conversation on energy transition demands renewed attention.
The formation of a new government presents an invaluable opportunity: To integrate gender inclusion and renewable energy into a unified national agenda, not as parallel commitments but as interconnected pillars of sustainable development.
During the Just Energy Transition (JET) Conference 2026, political party representatives including new government and opposition alliances openly acknowledged that while their manifestos addressed women’s empowerment and the energy sector separately, a coordinated approach had yet to fully materialize.
That advocacy effort was an eye-opener, encouraging upcoming policy-influencers to recognize that gender-inclusive energy planning is not a social add-on, rather, it is a national economic imperative.
Bangladesh has embraced renewable energy to meet clean energy targets and climate commitments. Yet women remain underrepresented across the value chain, from policy formulation to technical roles, entrepreneurship, and energy governance.
A gender-responsive renewable energy policy framework would address:
- equal access to training and technology;
- safe and supportive workplace environments;
- financial incentives for women entrepreneurs;
- inclusion of women in planning, monitoring, and leadership roles;
- recognition of unpaid energy-related labour burdens on women; and
- a just energy transition that considers women’s vulnerabilities and strengths.
If the new government introduces a dedicated gender-responsive section within the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, this effort will directly advance Bangladesh’s progress toward SDG 5, SDG 7, and SDG 13 -- and will also contribute significantly to achieving SDG 1, SDG 3, and SDG 8.
Such an approach would not only strengthen policy coherence but ensure that women’s inclusion becomes a measurable, accountable pillar of the country’s renewable energy transition.
Moreover, the formation of WEE-Net, an emerging collective of women engaged in renewable energy marks another strategic milestone. Its members have already played an active role in outreach communication, amplifying their voices and needs as part of a broader digital advocacy effort.
Interestingly, although one of the social media handles’ audience is about 65% male, posts on women’s empowerment in the renewable energy sector still attracted 45% female engagement -- a notable increase. Many women-led organizations have expressed interest in joining WEE-Net -- clear evidence of the impact and reach of communication efforts.
This momentum signals a crucial opportunity for the new government to place greater emphasis on strategic communication efforts, ensuring that women’s voices and leadership remain central to the renewable energy transition.
As per the manifesto of the government-elect party, page 12 highlights women’s empowerment (under chapter 2) as a critical pillar of national development, outlining multiple commitments to advance women’s rights and opportunities. Meanwhile, page 34, under the section on power and energy sector development (under chapter 3), inherits a challenge of expanding renewable energy capacity.
Combining both sections, it becomes clear that integrating gender-responsive measures within renewable energy planning is not only logical but essential -- ensuring that women play a central role in driving the nation’s clean energy transition.
Policy reforms, incentives, and technical opportunities often fail to reach women -- particularly in rural areas -- not because the opportunities do not exist, but because the messaging does not.
From experience in the development sector, even at a recent training program, many women NGO workers who regularly engage with grassroots women admitted they were unaware of renewable energy options beyond solar power. A communication strategy with proper awareness campaign plan by the government that is targeted, localized, and story-driven can dismantle this information barrier.
The belief that renewable energy is “too technical” for women remains widespread. Strategic storytelling -- spotlighting female solar technicians, women-led energy startups, or community innovators -- can counter such stereotypes. Examples from South Asia and beyond demonstrate that when women are informed and trained, they excel as installers, maintainers, entrepreneurs, and energy ambassadors.
A robust communication strategy for renewable energy must diversify its channels. For policymakers that is evidence-based advocacy, impact data, and case studies; for urban youth and STEM aspirants, it is social media campaigns, digital fellowships, and internship; and for rural women it is community radio, courtyard sessions, street-theatre, and door-to-door campaigns.
This multi-layered approach ensures that information flows both upward and downward -- shaping national policy while also empowering citizens.
With an Upper House likely to add new layers of legislative review, structured communication between state, citizens, and civil society can ensure women’s voices are not sidelined but amplified in this emerging political space.
Bangladesh’s clean energy transition cannot succeed if half the population remains underrepresented. The new government has the chance to redefine the development narrative by placing women at the heart of energy planning.
As the country enters a fresh political era, the question is no longer whether women should participate in the renewable energy sector. The question is how quickly we can build the communication bridges to ensure that they do.
Fahim Reza Shovon is Communication and Documentation Officer, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF).
