As Bangladesh slowly advances towards clean and sustainable energy, the transition is not only about cutting carbon emissions. It is also about exploring new avenues for job creation, economic growth, and a fairer and more equal society. And for this to be successful, women must be at the centre of it.
Women play a crucial role in managing domestic energy—through daily decision-making regarding cooking fuels, electricity use, and energy conservation—and when energy prices go up or energy shortages occur, women are the first to feel the pinch. But in the renewable energy sector, women’s role is still largely confined to being users, not designers, technologists, entrepreneurs, or decision-makers.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), women constitute only about 32 percent of the total global workforce in the renewable energy sector, with even lower representation in technical and decision-making positions. Bangladesh, despite its positive growth in the energy sector, has fallen short in ensuring maximum women’s participation.
According to the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), the contribution of renewable energy to the country’s total electricity generation is about 5.4 percent; however, the country has made great strides in solar energy. Some six million solar home systems have already been installed, providing electricity to over 18 million people. And failing to utilise women in this rapidly expanding industry is a serious economic oversight, especially when the country is doing its best to strike a balance between economic development and climate obligations.
Lessons can be learned from other nations in this regard. In Nepal, government-backed schemes for renewable energy have opened doors for women entrepreneurs in solar and micro-hydro power. In India, women-led self-help groups (SHGs) are now skilled at setting up and looking after solar pumps to provide affordable clean energy for irrigation, gaining both income and respect within their communities. Meanwhile, Germany’s Energiewende initiative has been instrumental in getting young women to consider careers in renewable energy research and engineering. These instances demonstrate that real change can happen when policies are robust and investment in training is prioritised.
For Bangladesh, the key starting point is capacity building. More young women need to be encouraged to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in their higher education journey. Scholarships, internships, and partnerships between universities and renewable energy companies can help create a bridge between academic education and employment. Technical and vocational education and training institutions can also offer short courses in solar power installation, maintenance, and green entrepreneurship to build a skilled labour group in the renewable energy sector.
At the community level, rural women need to be provided with training that is practical and accessible. The training should be designed in such a way that it takes into consideration the realities of social life, such as mobility restrictions and caregiving responsibilities.
Policy reform is another crucial step. To institutionalise women’s involvement, gender-responsive budgeting in the energy sector is essential, along with support for businesses hiring and training women and the establishment of gender targets within the national energy strategy. Furthermore, civil society, development partners, and the private sector must work together to track progress and ensure accountability.
The renewable energy sector is a technical area, and it is also a rapidly growing market. Women-owned businesses can provide, install, and maintain solar home systems, biogas plants, and mini-grids. With microfinance and business skills, these businesses can provide jobs and boost local economies while helping to address climate change.
Bangladesh has pledged to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs), including SDG 5 on gender equality, SDG 7 on universal and clean energy, SDG 8 on decent work, SDG 10 on reduced inequalities, and SDG 13 on climate action. All these goals are interlinked, and achieving one goal helps to advance another.
It is important to remember that the country’s renewable energy transition is not just about megawatts and technology, but also the people. If women are trained, supported, and given leadership opportunities across the renewable energy value chain, Bangladesh will not only move faster towards clean energy; it will also move closer to a more equal and resilient future.
The shift to renewable energy is already underway. Now is the time to ensure that women are not standing on the sidelines but rather helping lead the way.
Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy leads Youth and Social Cohesion team at Manusher Jonno Foundation. He can be reached at [email protected].
Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
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