Roundtable on “Women in Modern Energy Cooking (WMEC)”
Women in Modern Energy Cooking (WMEC) Initiative roundtable, organised by MECS programme through its in-country partner Finovista concluded successfully with dynamic discussions with multiple diverse stakeholders like startups, SMEs, think tanks, policy institutions, community groups, NGOs, financial institutions, hospitality, DISCOMs & academia. Dr. Parveen Dhamija, Advisor, Finovista, opened the event by highlighting how traditional cooking methods burden women with drudgery, health risks, & safety concerns for girls. She stressed the need for financial empowerment, equal participation & women-led initiatives while ensuring men are part of the transition. Ms. Sheetal Rastogi, Co-Founder, Finovista, presented Research Findings of WMEC, emphasizing gender mainstreaming, access to Modern Cooking Technologies, financial barriers & the importance of gender-disaggregated data in policymaking.
Interviews with manufacturers & users highlighted the need for improved design models, PAYG financing & more women entrepreneurs in Clean Cooking. Women must be central to the clean cooking revolution. WMEC advocates for gender inclusive policies that enhance women’s ownership & decision-making over Clean cooking solutions. SHGs, grassroots programs & targeted subsidies are essential for clean cooking accessibility for women. Grid readiness is crucial for uninterrupted cooking power. Rural infrastructure must improve with investments in last-mile connectivity & stable voltage. Clean cooking solutions should accommodate traditional cooking habits, enable parallel cooking & include behavioural training. Many women lack direct access to credit. Microfinancing, PAYG models & innovative financing mechanisms can empower them. Rooftop solar integration with eCooking offers a cost-effective solution but requires dedicated financing & infrastructure support. Stronger engagement with the health sector is needed to address the impact of household air pollution on women.
MECS is collaborating with health departments to integrate clean cooking into health policies. Scaling up free health camps for air pollution related illnesses will further highlight the urgency of clean cooking adoption. Participants engaged in an interactive activity, contributing insights on Supply Chain, Policy, Consumer Awareness & Finance using sticky notes to identify challenges, opportunities & interventions. The roundtable reinforced that a just, inclusive clean cooking transition requires financial, infrastructural, & policy support, ensuring women’s ownership & leadership. The discussions also resulted in participants openly coming forward to support the initiative in different ways possible.