Bangladesh continues to face the adverse impacts of climate change, including frequent cyclones, flooding, and sea-level rise. These climate-induced events disproportionately affect women, especially in rural and marginalized communities, due to their traditional roles in household energy use, caregiving, and livelihood activities. Indoor air pollution from biomass fuel also remains a major health concern for women.

While renewable energy has the potential to address energy poverty, reduce carbon emissions, and improve resilience, its benefits are not equitably distributed. Women often lack access to clean energy solutions and are underrepresented in energy policy development and implementation.

Although national policies reflect commitments to gender equality and climate action, the energy sector in Bangladesh remains largely gender-blind. There is a critical need for gender integration in energy policies and for women’s meaningful involvement in the sector.

Building on the success of the first phase, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) is continuing its efforts to integrate a gender lens into renewable energy discourse through the second phase of the project. This phase emphasizes building a stronger advocacy platform and network for women-led organizations, amplifying women’s voices, and ensuring their leadership in shaping a gender-sensitive renewable energy policy landscape.

Project Objectives

To develop a gender-inclusive renewable energy framework in Bangladesh, committed to achieving 30% renewable energy by 2030 with equitable access, participation, and benefits for all.

Expected Results

1. By October 2025, the Government of Bangladesh incorporated its renewable energy target to 30% by 2030, in its renewable energy policy (draft 2022) and revised the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP).
2. By September 2025, a dedicated gender section integrated into the Renewable Energy Policy (draft) and the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (draft).

Target Population: Marginalized People especially Young Women.

Direct Beneficiary Numbers: 10,500

Geographical Locations: Across Bangladesh

Implementing Organization: Manusher Jonno Foundation

Project Duration: December 2024 – November 2025

Budget: USD 78,891.00

Aligns with SDGs: SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 8, and SDG 13

Aligns with MJF’s Focused Thematic Issue

1. Building community resilience for the green economy to offset climate-induced risks and vulnerabilities.
2. Social, political, economic and legal empowerment of women, including reducing violence and discrimination against women, girls and children.

Publications

In the first phase, the Women’s Empowerment and Energy (WEE) project of Manusher Jonno Foundation conducted a comprehensive study, ‘Assessment of Gender Impacts in Renewable Energy Sources and Technologies in Bangladesh’ to analyze the gender implications of renewable energy sources and technologies in Bangladesh, aiming to pinpoint specific areas of gender disparity in this sector.