Women play an important role in advancing a just energy transition. However, their involvement in decision-making processes, including village development and energy projects, still needs to be strengthened. To address this challenge, Rumah Energi, through its Pro-Women for Just Energy Transition (PW4JET) program, held a Workshop on Strengthening Women’s Roles and Leadership in Advocating for the Energy Transition in Purwakarta.

The workshop was attended by 45 program beneficiaries and four village representatives. It was part of a broader capacity-building initiative for women in four villages surrounding the Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant: Citamiang, Pasir Jambu, Sinargalih, and Tegal Datar. The workshop built on previous activities, including the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) and Climate-Smart Agriculture training.

Through panel discussions, participants learned from the experiences of women community leaders, local government representatives, and advocacy practitioners. Siti Aisah, also known as Inaq Ridho, a beneficiary of the PRO WOMEN 2 program in Central Lombok, shared her experience in building women’s business groups, accessing government support, and navigating challenges in advocating for community needs. Meanwhile, representatives from the Purwakarta Social Affairs, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Protection Agency, along with advocacy practitioner Rima Ameilia, provided insights into women’s participation, evidence-based advocacy proposals, and communication strategies with stakeholders.

The practical sessions featured the Participation Ladder method and negotiation simulations. Participants formed five groups to identify issues affecting their daily lives, including waste management, water hyacinth utilization, public street lighting, and community participation in environmental clean-up activities. Discussions also addressed women’s protection and sexual harassment, emphasizing the importance of safety, confidentiality, and access to appropriate support services.

The workshop highlighted that strengthening women’s leadership goes beyond building knowledge; it requires continued mentoring and concrete action. Moving forward, Rumah Energi will support participants in consolidating priority issues in their respective villages, developing advocacy messages, and preparing action plans to engage relevant stakeholders.

Through PW4JET, women are expected to become more confident in voicing their needs, participating in decision-making, and contributing to a more inclusive and just energy transition.

Written by: Kharisanty Soufi
Edited by: Fauzan Ramadhan