Access to clean energy, especially clean cooking technologies harnessed from renewable energy sources like solar and wind, presents an opportunity for uplifting the livelihood of women and girls. You! takes a look…
environment
United Nations General Assembly declared 26th of January as International Day of Clean Energy in 2023 in a bid to raise awareness and mobilise action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.
When discussing people, it is essential to highlight the most vulnerable segments who bear the greatest burden of unclean energy use, such as fossil fuels. Among these groups, one stands out as the backbone of society - women.
Climate crises have taken over the world like a wildfire fuelled by our reliance on fossil fuels which threatens communities, ecosystems and livelihoods. Though it affects everyone, when it comes to women, it leaves a disproportionate impact on them. This vulnerability to climate change has resulted in violation of women right’s particularly in marginalised and rural communities.
Women, who nearly account for almost half of the country’s population, have a pivotal role in an equitable and just energy transition but often neglected. Sadly, women who are mainly responsible for energy intensive task in their households are rarely allowed to speak when it comes to decision-making especially around energy. In fact, it has been observed that families which are headed by females are frequently denied energy access then male headed households.
In several contexts, women frequently bear a greater burden, which exacerbates already existing gender disparities. The patriarchal structure in our society relegates women to unpaid care giving and household work, making them more susceptible to climate change. In rural areas across the world, much of the work in obtaining food, water, and domestic energy resources is done by women and girls. When these girls spend a significant amount of time travelling far distances to gather fuel for basic needs like cooking and heating, it significantly limits their ability to take on paid jobs outside their homes, as the time spent collecting fuel takes away from potential working hours. It also prevents girls from receiving an education as they are most likely to be withdrawn from schools to support their families during the times of energy scarcity. These chores further burden women when climate hazards like droughts and heat waves hit the regions. Moreover, the extreme weather events due to climate change cause destruction of the energy infrastructure that leads to power outages and disrupts educational infrastructure which leaves them without access to education.
In Pakistan, 45,000 families use kerosene for cooking, 1.4 million households utilise dung as fuel. Furthermore, 25 per cent of the nation’s population relies on piped gas for cooking, especially in urban areas, while rural areas have very limited access. There is no certainty regarding gas availability, as the supply is unreliable, and there are instances of unannounced gas load shedding. This affects women more significantly since they are primarily responsible for cooking at home.
It has been noted that household air pollution due to the use of polluting fuels is responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020. With much exposure to carbon intensive fuels for cooking and heating like gas, coal, firewood, charcoal, LPG and animal dung, the livelihood and health of women and children is at higher risk while also having consequences on the environment, accelerating climate change and compromising action for SDG 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (Climate action).
To address the interrelated challenges of energy access, gender inequality, and climate change in an integrated manner, it is imperative for the country to invest in clean energy. Access to clean energy, especially clean cooking technologies harnessed from renewable energy sources like solar and wind which are available in abundance, presents an opportunity for uplifting the livelihood of women and girls as well as reducing the environmental cost of using fossil fuels.
Decentralised Renewable Energy (DRE) initiatives, on the other hand, have greater promise for empowering women as they eliminate the reliance on extensive transmission infrastructure, enabling energy access for those currently without it. Programmes like the Solar Home System initiated by the World Bank in Bangladesh to establish an off-grid solar for the far-flung communities can also be supported in Pakistan for the acceleration of renewable energy.
To ease the strain on women carrying out house chores, solarisation is key. “Clean energy access through solar initiatives in education sector empowers women by facilitating their learning and providing them better opportunities while significantly contributing to climate change mitigation. Solarising a single school can prevent the emission of approximately 1.5 – 2 tons of CO2 annually, demonstrating how small-scale renewable energy projects can have a profound impact on both communities and the planet,” points out Qandeel Rehman, Co-Founder – ‘Solar for Her’, a non-profit organisation. “We are on a mission to empower education for girls in underserved communities through sustainable energy. By installing solar-powered systems in schools, we ensure reliable access to electricity, enabling students to learn in brighter, more conducive environments. Our work transforms not only classrooms but also communities, fostering opportunities for girls to pursue their dreams and build resilient futures,” she elaborates. “Additionally, setting up solar powered water pumps can greatly reduce the time to travel long distances for fetching water while ensuring uninterrupted education,” she concludes.
