Women must be key stakeholders in energy transition process: Experts

Ensuring everyone's participation in inclusive energy is very important, and it is high time to adopt renewable energy to guarantee women's equitable access to power, said rights activists and energy experts.

Speaking at a policy dialogue on how to make Bangladesh's renewable energy transition more inclusive, sustainable and gender-responsive, they highlighted that the lack of access to renewable energy in workplaces, particularly where women are employed, results in a significant loss of time and productivity.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), a human rights and governance NGO, organised the event at the Liberation War Museum in the capital's Agargaon today (11 September), featuring exhibitions, cultural performances, and storytelling sessions.

Banasree Mitra Neogi, director of Rights and Governance Programmes of MJF, presented the keynote paper.

The event, titled "Women and Energy Carnival 2025," brought together policy influencers, innovators, development partners, youth leaders, and grassroots women to celebrate and recognise women's leadership in Bangladesh's renewable energy sector.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF, who chaired the opening session, said, "The Carnival reflects our commitment to amplifying women's voices and ensuring they are central to Bangladesh's sustainable and green transition."

"All the conventional fossil fuel-based energy sources will be diminished gradually. I can't see any other alternative source of electricity other than renewable energy," she said.

Speaking as the special guest, Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström, first secretary (Environment & Climate Change) and deputy head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, highlighted the importance of ensuring women's equal participation in policy and decision-making around climate and energy.

She emphasised advocating for sustainable energy solutions, saying, "Because of technological advancement, now is the time for us to think sincerely about renewable energy."

Md Mahbubur Rahman, deputy secretary of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda), said, "If we talk about climate, women have a significant role there. In areas like green finance, women's role is often greater than men."

Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said, "Currently, electricity is produced in one place and distributed elsewhere – this is called centralised production. But in the future, this will change, as electricity will be generated in many different locations. Women's role in maintenance will be undeniable."

He also stressed the urgent need to integrate gender perspectives in the renewable energy policy framework.

Sharif Jamil, member secretary of Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (Dhora) and coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, said that movements should not be viewed only in the form of projects. Women's participation must be increased.

"We often do not even consider women as stakeholders. Work must be done inclusively – public representatives should not be the only stakeholders," he added.

Tanzina Dilshad, programme manager (Environment & Energy) at the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, said women's participation in leadership roles is still low. She reaffirmed the EU's commitment to supporting initiatives that ensure women are not left behind in the energy transition.