PRESS RELEASE

21/03/2024

Policy changes are needed to ensure women’s participation in the renewable energy sector: Shaheen Anam

Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) commented that policy changes are needed to ensure women’s participation in the renewable energy sector.

She said this in an open dialogue on “Importance of Renewable Energy in Women’s Empowerment” and publication launching programme organized by MJF on 21st March (Thursday) at ALOK Auditorium, MJF Tower.

She stated, ‘We need to increase the use of renewable energy by avoiding fossil fuels which are harmful to the environment. Fossil fuels are also hazardous for women’s health.  Our government has already taken various steps to increase the generation of renewable energy. We thank the government for that.

‘However, there are many gaps in our renewable energy policy. This policy should be reviewed through gender lens and brought changes. Policy changes are needed to ensure women’s participation in the renewable energy sector.’

Banasree Mitra Neogi, Director (Programme) of MJF delivered a key note presentation on ‘Invest in Women & Girls: Accelerate Progress through Renewable Energy’.

She said, ‘Investing in women is crucial to ensuring the renewable energy justice. In order to accelerate women’s participation in the renewable energy sector, we have to work in the policy level as well as in the grassroot level.

‘Providing equal education, training, and employment opportunities for women in this industry can help leverage diverse perspectives and skills to tackle the challenges of transitioning to clean energy. This will not only ensure gender equality but also make it easier to achieve sustainable development goals.’

Shooha Tabil from Tara Climate Foundation, Abul Kalam Azad from Action Aid, Munir Uddin Shamim from ETI, Farah Anzum from GSCC and representatives of various non-governmental development organizations, research organizations and members of the ‘WEE’ network also delivered their speech at the event.

In the speech, they highlighted the importance of using renewable energy, the necessity and obstacles for women’s participation in this sector.

At the end of the discussion, the closing of the programme was announced by the unveiling of the research publication titled ‘Assessment of Gender Impact in the Renewable Energy Sources and Technologies in Bangladesh’.

For further information

Nusrat Zabin Biva
Media and Communication Officer
Manusher Jonno Foundation
Cell: 01851861914
Email: biva@manusher.org