Renewable Energy & Woman Empowerment

Empowerment of Woman through Renewable Energy in Rural parts of Madhya Pradesh (India)

With large number of illiterate population in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh there are various factors responsible out of which few are social, few are economical and few are definitely because of improper implementation of various government schemes because of unawareness of beneficiaries. Women in general suffer from various kinds of deprivations. The position of women in the society is result of typical social discrimination. The stylized role assigned to her in the families hence puts them to certain disadvantages in life due to which they are notable to realize their potential in life. They have poor access to all essential services like health, education, drinking water and sanitation. This makes their position even more vulnerable. Now.

To begin with let us understand few facts about Madhya Pradesh

• Total Population (as Per 2011 Census- 7.26 Cr i.e 72.6 Millions)
• Present Population (Projected in 2018- 8.23 Cr i.e 82.3 Millions)
• Total Rural Population- 72.3% i.e about 59.5 Millions
• Total % of Woman in Rural Population- 48%
• Total Rural Woman Population- 28.56 Millions
• Woman Literacy rate in Rural about 59% which is about 16.85 Millions

This means still 11.71 Million women in Madhya Pradesh are illiterate and hence they are away from the rights of better health, social and economic status in society. This paper will focus on how using renewable energy can bring change in life of rural woman and how it will empower them…..

Now few suggestions for incorporating changes in Rural areas with help of renewable energy and how it will change the life of Woman

1. Impact on Health & Security

In most of the villages still main source of fuel is forest wood and woman of the family is responsible for collecting these fuel from forest and cook the food and because of this they are exposed towards diseases like Asthma, affect on Lungs and eyes. Also during collection of wood most of the social crime against woman took place and they also been bitten by snakes and other poisonous Insects & animals.

Solution is simple and very economical i.e providing Solar Cookers, Energy Efficient Chulhas & Solar Schfellers and Biogas plants

2. Impact on Socio Economic status & Education

In most of the rural part availability of Electricity is always under question mark during night time and during day time women are busy with their domestic and family responsibilities and hence even if they have interest in study they don’t have access to electricity or they can’t afford it so simple and cost effective solution is community based solar lighting, Solar lamps.

3. Financial Support to Family

In many village woman are either not allowed to work by their family or are not having any skill sets to start their own earnings but with the help of training for solar lamp assembly, Knitting machines which runs on electric power, working with solar dryers for packaging industry or by running small refreshment or tea shops they can assist their family financially or can be financially dependent.

4. Local transportation

In rural areas most of the time woman and girls are not allowed to take benefits of education, employment and health facilities just because of non connectivity of the village with any mode of public transport and other personal modes of transport such as two wheelers which runs on Petrol or diesel are either not easily available of not affordable hence simple and easy solution can be community based transport system which is solar powered or runs on battery which can be charged through solar electric panels.

Suggestions

By implementing activities through arranging funding through CSR, soft loans by various state and central government policies schemes had been introduced and substantial changes had been observed in various index such as Woman Health, Crime against Women, Education and financial position of women in rural areas of women.

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Article by Mr. Prashant Nene

Energy Management Professional with 16 Years Experience in Energy and Power Engineering Domain

Education: M. Tech (Energy Management), BE (Electrical), PGD-NPTI- (Transmission & Distribution),- PG- Business Management (Marketing)

Past Association with companies like ERL, Raychem, Motwane (Haefely), Phenix (TTPL) & Multiple assignments as Energy Management professional in Energy, Environment and Waste Management projects.

 

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