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lack electricity. “Due to the absence of renewable energy in women’s work, a lot of time is wasted. It is high time to adopt renewable energy,” she said.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF and chair of the opening session, said, “The Women and Energy Carnival reflects our commitment to amplifying women’s voices and ensuring they are central to Bangladesh’s sustainable and green transition.”

She warned that conventional fossil fuel-based sources would eventually run out, adding that there is no alternative to renewable energy.

She also stressed the importance of recognising women’s unpaid care work.

Nayoka Martinez-Bäckström, first secretary (environment & climate change) and deputy head of development cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh, highlighted the need for women’s equal participation in policy and decision-making on climate and energy.

“With technological advancement, now is the time to think sincerely about renewable energy,” she said.

Md Mahbubur Rahman, deputy secretary of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), said women play an important role in climate issues, particularly in green finance, where their involvement is often greater than men’s.

He called for women to be recognised as stakeholders.

Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said while electricity is currently produced in centralised locations, future systems will generate power in multiple places.

“Women’s role in maintenance will be undeniable,” he said, urging gender perspectives to be integrated into renewable energy policies to ensure a just transition.

Sharif Jamil, member secretary of Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra and coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, warned against treating social movements merely as projects.

“We often do not even consider women as stakeholders. Work must be inclusive -- public representatives should not be the only stakeholders,” he said.

Tanzina Dilshad, programme manager (environment & energy) at the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, noted that women’s participation in leadership positions remains low, despite the fact that their involvement in renewable energy is comparatively higher.

She reaffirmed the EU’s support for initiatives to ensure women are not left behind in the energy transition.

The day-long programme featured exhibitions, cultural performances, storytelling sessions, and policy dialogues on making Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition more inclusive, sustainable, and gender-responsive.