A group of 33 organizations united under the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) has introduced the Women’s Energy and Empowerment Network (WEE-NET) to advocate for the prioritization of women and marginalized communities in Bangladesh’s energy policies and fair transition strategies.
The unveiling of the platform took place at a press event at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, where speakers highlighted the ongoing structural exclusion of women from employment opportunities, decision-making processes, and economic prospects, a disparity mirrored in the energy sector.
Referencing data from the labor market, Wasiur Rahman Tanmoy, MJF’s lead-youth, emphasized that women’s participation in the labor force in Bangladesh is at 19%, with their representation in leadership and technical roles within the energy industry below 10%.
In contrast, the global average for female participation in the renewable energy sector stands at 32%. Speakers noted that existing energy policies predominantly view women as consumers rather than as entrepreneurs, technicians, innovators, or decision-makers, stressing that limited access to technical education could widen the gender gap as the industry progresses.
Despite almost universal access to electricity, women still grapple with “energy poverty” due to unpaid labor and health hazards linked to cooking fuels. Banasree Mitra Neogi, MJF Programme Director, highlighted that rural women spend over five hours daily on cooking and fuel gathering, limiting their time for education, income generation, and leadership roles.
Moreover, with nearly 90% of households relying on biomass fuels and only 28% having access to clean cooking fuel, women face significant health risks. WEE-NET aims to promote women-led and community-centric renewable energy projects, provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women, and enhance their involvement in decision-making related to fair transitions.
The launch of WEE-NET followed the recent Just Energy Transition Conference 2026, hosted by MJF, which gathered policymakers, private-sector representatives, women leaders, youth groups, marginalized communities, and grassroots innovators.
During the conference, WEE-NET urged the government to ensure the meaningful engagement of women and marginalized communities in energy and climate policy formulation, phase out fossil fuel subsidies in favor of renewable energy, and halt approvals for new coal, gas, and oil-based power plants.
The network also pushed for renewable energy targets of 30% by 2030, 40% by 2041, and 100% by 2050, alongside tax exemptions on solar equipment, reduced duties to expand electric mobility, and the creation of two million jobs for women and marginalized groups through training, financial support, and technical assistance.
WEE-NET comprises 33 organizations, including Welfare Efforts (WE), Dalit Empowerment Foundation, Breaking The Silence, Bangladesh Indigenous Women’s Network, Village Education Resource Center, UDAYAN, ESDO, POPI, and ASHIKA Development Associates.
