Writer: Miko Wong

Streetlights make us feel safe on the streets at night. In bustling cities, we often take sufficient street lighting for granted and rarely realise the profound impact it has on our safety and well-being. Have you ever considered how a lack of streetlights can restrict women's mobility in communities?

In rural areas of Bangladesh, many women and girls are unable to venture out in the early morning or at night due to the lack of illuminated streetlights, which affects their freedom and access to education. Green Hope Foundation, a charitable organisation accredited to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has taken note of the plight of these women, so they installed solar streetlights in local rural areas, enabling women to receive education and move freely within their communities.

Kehkashan Basu, now 23 years old, founded the Green Hope Foundation at the age of 12. She is deeply concerned about the inclusivity of children, young people, women, and marginalised communities in the sustainable development process. As a result, the foundation has initiated various green projects in multiple region, including the Bangladesh communities. "Climate-related disasters often force girls to drop out of school, as women have the added burden of managing their families and villages while men migrate to find work in the cities." Kehkashan Basu mentioned. "They do not have electricity, clean water and sanitation, and there’s an elevated risk of exploitation trafficking, especially at night when they go to relieve themselves in the fields."

In addition to installing solar streetlights, the foundation has also installed solar systems in local houses and schools, providing clean water sources and toilets near schools, making the girls feel safe. Now, when climate disasters strike, they can attend school without worry.

Safe space is a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, many women around the world are often deprived of this right. Solar power brings them brightness. Whenever solar streetlights illuminate the dark nights, they not only provide safe travel opportunities for girls but also enable them to fully utilise educational resources and pursue a future filled with hope.

Source: 
https://www.thegreenhopefoundation.org/affordable-and-clean-energy
https://broadview.org/kehkashan-basu-interview/

Image Source:
https://twitter.com/greenhopeyouth/status/1496489637703041029?lang=bn