Can Clean Energy Unlock Her Dreams?

Before the light came, every evening in villages like Muyuni B, Zanzibar, was a race against the setting sun. Sharifa Hussein, a mother of five, would hurry to finish cooking before darkness took over, working in a kitchen filled with thick smoke from firewood. Her story, shared in a 2025 report by The Guardian, reflects the reality faced by millions of women across the world who breathe hazardous air every day while cooking indoors.
According to the World Health Organization, around 3.2 million people die each year from illnesses caused by household air pollution, with women and children being the most vulnerable.

Sharifa’s story is emblematic of the broader challenges faced by women in regions plagued by energy poverty. Globally, approximately 660 million people lack access to electricity, and around 1.8 billion are without clean cooking technologies and fuels. Women and girls often bear the brunt of this energy deficit, spending hours collecting fuel and being exposed to harmful indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods. These responsibilities limit their time for education, income-generating activities, and rest.

Exposure to indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods remains a significant health risk, particularly for women and girls in low- and middle-income countries. The reliance on solid fuels such as wood, charcoal, and animal dung for cooking exposes individuals to harmful pollutants, including fine particulate matter and carbon monoxide. These pollutants can cause a range of health issues, from respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases.​

According to an article published by AP News in June 2024, in Kenya, the use of firewood for cooking has been linked to a rise in respiratory diseases. The article highlights the case of Jane Muthoni, a 65-year-old woman from Kiambu, who experienced frequent coughing and itchy eyes due to smoke inhalation from cooking with firewood. The report notes that respiratory diseases have been the most prevalent in Kenya for several years, with 19.6 million reported cases in the previous year, and burning biomass such as firewood is identified as the largest contributor to these diseases.

Evans Amukoye, a scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, is quoted stating that smoke inhalation can lead to serious conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  Efforts are being made to address this issue through the promotion of clean cooking technologies. Initiatives like the Clean Cooking Alliance are working to provide cleaner cooking solutions, such as improved cookstoves and alternative fuels, to reduce indoor air pollution and its associated health risks.

However, challenges remain in making these technologies accessible and affordable to those who need them most. Continued investment and policy support are essential to expand the reach of clean cooking solutions and protect the health of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children who bear the brunt of household air pollution.​

As we progress into 2025, it’s crucial to examine how clean energy initiatives can transform women’s lives and promote gender equality.

Transformative Power of Clean Energy

Access to clean energy has the potential to dramatically improve women’s lives. Electrification of homes increases the likelihood of women gaining employment outside the home by 9 to 23 percentage points. Moreover, universal access to clean cooking could save women an average of 1.5 hours per day, time that could be redirected towards education, work, or leisure. ​

Initiatives like the Barefoot College’s “Solar Mamas” program exemplify the positive impact of clean energy. Since its inception, the program has trained over 3,500 women from 93 countries to become solar engineers, bringing electricity to more than 2.5 million people. ​

In Zanzibar, for instance, 65 women trained as solar engineers have connected 1,858 homes across 29 villages to electricity. These women, often marginalized with limited education and job opportunities, are meeting a critical need in a region where only about half of the nearly two million residents have access to electricity. ​

One such woman, Sharifa Hussein’s life took a transformative turn when she joined the “Solar Mamas,” a group of women trained by Barefoot College Zanzibar to install and maintain solar power systems in rural communities. Through this program, she brought electricity to her own home and empowered countless others in her village, challenging societal norms and illuminating the path toward gender equality. ​ “I’ve benefited greatly,” she said. “The program has opened my mind.” ​

In Karachi, Pakistan, the “Roshni Baji” initiative has trained 200 women as certified electricians, enabling them to support their families and communities while challenging societal norms. Similarly, in Canada, Anna Harman leads decarbonization strategies at Jones Lang LaSalle, contributing to significant emissions reductions across thousands of buildings.​

Even then, the energy sector continues to grapple with gender disparities. Women constitute approximately 20% of the global energy workforce, a figure that underscores the underrepresentation of women in this critical industry. Leadership roles reveal an even starker contrast; as of 2024, women held only 12% of ministerial positions responsible for energy, natural resources, fuels, and mining.​

However, the renewable energy sector offers a more optimistic outlook. Women represent 32% of the workforce in renewable energy, with the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector having the highest share at 40%. These figures suggest that targeted efforts can improve gender diversity in energy-related fields.

As Sophie Westlake, Chair of the IEA Gender Advisory Council, aptly stated:​

“Tackling gender disparity in the energy sector is crucial to driving energy transitions forward; otherwise, we are leaving a huge pool of talent untapped. To ensure that we reach more women and enhance the diversity of skills and perspectives within the sector, we must proactively consider gender in our policies and planning.”

These perspectives emphasize the need for proactive measures to integrate gender considerations into energy policies and planning, ensuring a more equitable and effective energy transition.

Barriers for Women in Clean Energy

Women across various sectors—including entrepreneurship, corporate roles, and the clean energy industry—continue to face significant barriers that hinder their full participation and advancement.​

1. Entrepreneurship

Many women entrepreneurs struggle to secure funding, with only 3% of global venture capital going to companies founded solely by women. This lack of financial support is compounded by systemic biases and a scarcity of female investors. In the UK, female-founded teams received just 1.8% of the £8 billion equity investment in 2024, despite evidence that female-led firms often outperform their male counterparts.

Solutions:

• Increase Access to Capital: Develop funding programs specifically targeted at women entrepreneurs to bridge the investment gap.​
• Mentorship and Networking: Establish mentorship programs and networking events to connect women entrepreneurs with industry leaders and investors.
• Renewable Energy Technology

The clean energy sector remains male-dominated, with women holding about 26% of the workforce. They are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, leading to fewer opportunities in renewable energy sectors. The scarcity of female role models and professional networks in the energy sector can impede women’s career progression and confidence, with the most significant drop occurring at the first step up to manager—a phenomenon known as the “broken rung.” They also face challenges in accessing financing and often lack supportive policies that address their specific needs.

Solutions:

Inclusive Policies: Develop and enforce policies that promote gender diversity and inclusion within organizations.

 Leadership Development: Provide leadership training and development programs tailored for women to prepare them for advancement.

• Agriculture

Women farmers are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts, such as droughts and floods, due to their reliance on natural resources and limited adaptive capacities. They often face difficulties in accessing land, credit, and agricultural inputs. This limitation restricts their ability to invest in and adopt clean energy solutions. Solar pumps for irrigation and solar-powered cold storage are making it easier for them to grow, store, and sell their produce — turning hard work into real opportunities.

Solution:

Financial Inclusion: Providing women with access to credit and financial services can empower them to invest in sustainable agricultural practices and renewable energy solutions.

If we want real, lasting change, we need to break down these walls and build a future where women lead the way. But to get there, we need focused action. Here’s where strong policies and global efforts come in.

Policy Recommendations and Global Initiatives

Closing the gender gap in energy means creating a stronger, fairer world for everyone. So what’s it going to take to make that vision real? Here are some key steps we need to take to support women and open up more opportunities in the energy sector:

1. Collect and Utilize Gender-Disaggregated Data

Understanding the unique challenges women face in energy access and employment requires comprehensive, gender-specific data. For instance, UN Women emphasizes the importance of integrating gender indicators into energy policies to design effective, inclusive solutions.

Action Steps:

• Implement gender-specific indicators in energy policies to better understand and address the unique challenges women face.​
• Ensure that energy projects collect and analyze data on women’s participation and benefits.​

2. Promote STEM Education and Vocational Training for Women

Encouraging women’s participation in STEM fields is crucial for increasing their representation in the energy sector. Programs that offer young women hands-on experience in energy and sustainability are very important.

Action Steps:

• Support initiatives that provide STEM education and vocational training for women and girls.​
• Develop mentorship programs linking women students with professionals in the energy sector.​

3. Develop Inclusive Energy Policies

Energy policies must consider the specific needs of women, especially in rural and underserved communities. In Senegal, women’s collectives have actively participated in shaping energy policies to ensure equitable access and benefits.

Action Steps:

• Engage women in the decision-making processes of energy policy development.​
• Design energy projects that address the unique energy needs of women in various communities.​

4. Support Women-Led Clean Energy Enterprises

Providing financial and technical support to women entrepreneurs in the clean energy sector can drive innovation and inclusivity. Organizations like New Energy Nexus have backed over 1,100 women entrepreneurs to build a more inclusive clean energy sector.

Action Steps:

• Offer grants, low-interest loans, and technical assistance to women-led clean energy businesses.
• Create networking opportunities for women entrepreneurs to share experiences and resources.

Across the world, important steps are being taken to close the gender gap in clean energy.
In 2024, the Equality in Energy Transitions Initiative introduced the “Implementing Inclusivity Framework” at the 15th Clean Energy Ministerial, encouraging countries to weave gender, diversity, and inclusion into their energy policies. In the Caribbean, the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network, coordinated by RMI, is helping women from island nations step into leadership through mentorship and training. Meanwhile, the Biden-Harris administration’s National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality highlights women’s roles in shaping clean energy and climate policies.
Closer to home, ASEAN countries are also making strides. In Indonesia, Professor Dr. Eng. Eniya Listiani Dewi’s appointment as Director General of New and Renewable Energy marks a big moment for women’s leadership in the sector. Groups like New Energy Nexus are helping women entrepreneurs get funding and support to grow their clean energy businesses. And inspiring grassroots efforts like Pakistan’s Roshni Baji program have trained 200 women as certified electricians, opening up new career paths in their communities.

In every corner— from remote farms to buzzing cities — women are already showing us what’s possible when clean energy and equal opportunities go hand in hand. But while progress is happening, it’s not happening fast enough. Millions of women are still stuck in the shadows of energy poverty, limited by systems that don’t fully see or support them. The gap between what could be and what is remains wide — and it’s up to all of us to help bridge it.

Here’s how you can contribute to this transformative journey:

• Support Women-Led Initiatives: Invest in or donate to programs that empower women in clean energy.
• Advocate for Inclusive Policies: Encourage policymakers to implement gender-responsive energy policies that ensure equal access to resources and opportunities.
• Promote Education and Training: Support educational programs that provide women with the skills needed to thrive in the energy sector, particularly in STEM fields.
• Raise Awareness: Use your voice to highlight the importance of gender equality in energy access and the broader implications for sustainable development.

Every woman who lights up her home with solar energy, every girl who studies under a clean, safe lamp instead of toxic smoke, every female entrepreneur building a green business — they aren’t just beneficiaries of clean energy. They are the energy. The road to a clean and equal world is not a distant dream — it’s a choice we can make today. Let’s choose to power it together.

-Staff Reporter