Women inclusion a key to their empowerment

Women inclusion in the renewable energy can play a significant role in empowerment of both rural and urban women ensuring employment and entrepreneurship creation through skills and training.
Highlighting the issue during a workshop on women empowerment and energy, keynote speaker researcher Banasree Mitra Neogi has said that real gender focus is totally absent from all-related policies of the government.
Citing an example of women engagement in solar home system, she said reducing time and energy poverty can only be ensured if women participation and decision making role increases in renewable energy share and distribution.
The Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and Fortnight Magazine Annanya organised the workshop at the Ittefaq office on Sunday. MJF Executive Director Shahin Anam addressed the welcome session and Annanya and Daily Ittefaq Editor Tasmima Hossain the concluding session.
Fifteen journalists from different media participated in the workshop where Professor of Women and Gender Studies Dr Tania Haque and MJF Capacity Development Unit Coordinator Waliur Rahman Tonmoy also spoke on the topic.
The keynote speaker also said as gender focus on the renewable energy could help the government achieve several sustainable development goals, the government must review all policies for proper gender focus from all aspects of investment, energy production, distribution, management, skill and entrepreneurship development.
"Integration gender in the renewable energy policies is not just a method of social justice. It is also a strategic move for a positive impact of renewable energy while minimising social economic and environmental negative consequences," she added.
The MJF executive director highlighted the women's workload, especially in rural areas, and said women inclusion in the renewable energy would certainly help them improve time poverty.
The Annanya editor says women involvement in the renewable energy can only be ensured when women works get recognised and focus is given on improving their livelihood.

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