In India, women suffer more than men from energy scarcity and related environmental degradation.

Lack of a modern energy supply means they spend more time on subsistence activities, notably cooking, leaving no time for income-generating activities.

Their health also suffers because they have to use traditional cooking methods that expose them to household air pollution. Improving women’s access to energy has a vast potential of boosting livelihoods for women at all levels.

This is especially true in Rajasthan, a renewable energy rich state, so there could not have been a better venue for ADB to gather experts of all kinds at a sub-regional conference to discuss inclusive energy solutions for South Asia.

In Rajasthan, ADB is already supporting the state government under the ongoing Rajasthan Renewable Energy Transmission Investment Program, which promotes inclusive energy access solutions, including for women.