India’s ongoing green transition, lauded for its potential to boost growth and address climate change, is reportedly deepening existing gender inequalities. Large-scale solar and wind energy projects are contributing to this disparity in several significant ways.
These renewable energy developments are said to be eroding women’s traditional access to common resources, a vital aspect of many rural economies. Furthermore, the intensified workload associated with these projects often leads to an increase in unpaid care work for women.
The transition also appears to be pushing girls out of school, as families face new economic or labor pressures. Women are also frequently excluded from receiving fair compensation for land acquired for these projects and are largely left out of emerging green job opportunities.
This situation suggests a need for more inclusive planning and implementation strategies to ensure that the benefits of India’s green transition are shared equitably and do not disproportionately burden women and girls.
Source: Down To Earth