Empowering Women to Drive Sustainable Energy Access in Rural Tajikistan A Catalyst for Community Development and Wellbeing Context In Central Asia, energy access challenges persist. These significantly impact the lives of rural communities, with women being disproportionately affected. Rural women still carry out the bulk of traditional household chores, which hinders their participation in economic activities, education, and healthcare. However, if provided with the rights tools and renewable energy solutions, women could play a pivotal role in the energy transition and act as agents of change to contribute to the overall resilience and sustainability of their communities, while also having a positive impact on the environment.
The Yaghnob valley is frequently Gharmen, Khishortob and Qul exposed to natural hazards including villages, which lie at an altitude of up heavy snowfalls, floods and avalanches. to 2,700m above sea level and are As a result, from the winter to spring, its isolated from central energy networks, limited road infrastructures become were selected for this initiative. The unavailable, and the valley’s population three villages rely on firewood, of 449 people completely isolated. manure and coal for cooking and heating needs. To help overcome these challenges, the Organization for Security and Co- This activity was part of the OSCE operation in Europe (OSCE) conceived a project: "Promoting Women's pilot initiative to test and evaluate Economic Empowerment in the the impact of solar-powered devices energy sector in Central Asia", which on women living in this valley. was financed by Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, and Poland. The OSCE provided 20 households with off-grid clean energy technologies and trained the women whose homes received the new technology.
Yaghnob Valley
Tajikistan
1 Key Facts About the women
Average age group: 30-40 years 82% have only a basic level of education
Average household size: 6.3 family members 14% lead the households as their husband migrated for work 56% have children under the age of 18 in their household
Access to Energy
68% 8.6% Use firewood/manure as the use liquefied coal/natural gas main source of fuel
17% 4.3% turn to firewood/coal use liquified gas
Most women spend 4-5 hours a day collecting fuel and preparing firewood, and 3 hours per day cooking. This means 7-8 hours total are spent to prepare food daily. Fuel used for cooking These fuels use for cooking generate a lot of smoke, which can irritate the eyes and respiratory 52.1% tract. Firewood/coal About 68% walk more than 40 km 34.7% (twice per month, during the Liquefied gas summer season) to procure firewood. 21.7% Firewood/manure No participant uses electrical devices at home due to the lack of electricity nor have knowledge on 2 alternative energy sources. Activity “Our livestock manure was wet and didn’t burn quickly. Some women in The OSCE provided women from the the village became ill Yaghnob Valley with the off-grid clean from the effects of the energy technologies of solar parabolic cookers and mini-solar power heavy smoke. Now I can stations, and trained the women on cook in half an hour and how to use them. We also provided prepare my tea in 10 training on the basics of renewable energy as well as teaching them soft minutes. “ skills to build their capacity in this regard, ultimately empowering them to Halima Razakova, drive positive change in their communities through clean energy Qul village access.
Since embracing the clean energy devices provided by the OSCE, these women report a remarkable reduction in household tasks, which now takes 2.5 hours per day. They also produce less biomass to meet their energy needs. This not only enhances their health and benefits the environment, but also holds the promise of long-term financial savings for the entire community.
The portable solar power stations include a flashlight, which is proving “When I am on the road extremely valuable for the safety of with my son, I feel these remote communities, especially during evening journeys as residents much safer than before often walk through narrow, snow- because I have a covered roads inhabited by prairie dogs flashlight with me and I and wolves. can see both the road Family members are also using the and the surroundings.” flashlights at night to tend to their livestock, highlighting the crucial role of the initiative and off-grid clean energy Bibisoro Kurbanova, technologies in supporting local Garmen village livelihoods.
3 Impacts Reduced time poverty The free time won through the use of off- grid technologies can now be used for other meaningful activities and to rest. If adequately supported, this could lead to new training or income-generating opportunities.
Improved Health Thanks to the off-grid clean energy technologies we provided, women in the villages can now cook safely, without being harmed or affected by the health risks posed by the smoke from animal manure or solid fuels.
Enhanced Safety Women and their families now live and work in safer conditions. The flashlight included in the mini solar station provides lighting in rooms and outdoors. Villagers reported that they feel safer when they walk across villages or have to finish work after sunset.
Community Benefits While women are the primary beneficiaries of these devices, the positive impacts are being enjoyed by the whole family and neighbours. For instance, children and husbands use the flashlight at night to keep an eye on the cattle.
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