In a bid to promote women’s access to clean energy across the country, the partners under the Green Synergy Uganda are standing united to call upon the Ugandan government to prioritize and support clean energy solutions for women especially those in rural communities ahead of the 2025 International Women’s day celebrations on March 8, 2025.
On Friday February 28, the Green Synergy Uganda partners held a consultative meeting discussing a number of issues affecting women in the face of climate crisis and key on the agenda was the energy need for women in the rural communities. The consultative meeting was organized and supported by the consortium members, Youth for Green Communities (YGC), Center for Conservation and Ecoenergy Initiative (CCEI), Strategic Response on Environment Conservation (STREC), Friends on Environment in Development (FED), Fridays for Future, Oil Refinery Residents Association (ORRA) and WEMNET.
The members noted that this year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment” resonates well with their mission of creating a sustainable energy future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive without the shackles of energy poverty.
The partners further noted that today, over 90% of the Ugandan population are still relying on charcoal and firewood to meet their energy needs yet it is the women and girls that are exposed to these dirty energy sources. The limited women’s access to clean and sustainable energy is not merely a matter of environmental concern but a fundamental necessity for gender equality, economic empowerment, and improved quality of life. With less than 35% of the population having access to electricity, for many of the rural women, the consequences are devastating. Women and girls often bear the brunt of energy poverty, which limits their opportunities for education, employment, and health.
Ms. Maria Getrude one of the Green Synergy members noted that the energy access gap in Uganda has disproportionately affected women in rural areas, where they face additional barriers to resources and opportunities. She said that this inequity exacerbates a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break. She further pointed out that when women lack access to clean energy, they miss out on essential services like efficient cooking methods, clean drinking water, and reliable means of communication. Therefore, she urges government, private partnerships, CSOs and other duty bearers in commemoration of this important day should provide women with skills and knowledge to access and manage clean energy as a way of improving their livelihoods.
Ms. Hilda also one of the Synergy members says “government should design programs aimed at skill-building women in clean energy sector.” She added that investing in education, training, and access to resources will empower women with the knowledge they need to become leaders in the energy sector.
The Synergy members commend the government of Uganda for the significant contribution to women’s rights including appointing women to higher position of authorities, however, they strongly believe that there has not enough effort to invest in sustainable and clean energy solutions for rural women, yet there is strong connection between clean energy access and women’s empowerment. When the women are empowered through clean energy access, this will lead to healthier families, stronger communities, and a sustainable environment.
We therefore, call upon the government to address energy access gaps for women in Uganda including increasing investments in clean energy solutions, women’s capacity building and training, gender-responsive financing for clean energy technologies and putting in place clean energy laws and policies such as a solar energy policy and among others.
