Lighting the Way: Women of Faith Powering Renewable Energy Solutions

womenfaithandclima
Sep 22
2 min read

Updated: Nov 5

Published by Fariah Lalaikipian-Uzury Empowerment Hub, Kenya.

On July 22nd, the Women, Faith & Climate Network (WFCN) hosted the third and final session of its 2025 Collaboration Workshop Series. A vibrant virtual gathering of more than 90 participants from across South Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond. The theme? Radical Partnerships for Strengthening the Nexus between Women of Faith & Renewable Energy Practices.

This was more than a workshop; it was a call to action, a showcase of groundbreaking models, and a vision of what is possible when faith, innovation, and women’s leadership come together to tackle the climate crisis.

Spotlight on Radical Partnerships!

The session featured bold stories of women at the forefront of renewable energy transitions:

Fiza Farhan (Pakistan, ORA Global) shared how “Light Ladies” women solar entrepreneurs are transforming off-grid communities by providing clean, affordable energy. Her model has garnered global recognition, demonstrating how faith and local leadership can drive positive change.
Reema Nanavaty (India, SEWA) highlighted how 7,000 salt pan workers in Gujarat transitioned from diesel to solar pumps, supported by blended finance models and community-driven leadership. Today, SEWA’s solar park and green skills programs stand as a beacon of women-centered climate justice.
Aneta Loj (Brahma Kumaris) emphasized solar cooking, energy training hubs, and research partnerships that bring renewable energy directly into households and spiritual centers, grounding sustainability in daily life and faith practice.

These stories revealed a powerful truth: renewable energy is not only a technical solution, but a justice imperative. Access to clean energy means dignity, health, and economic empowerment for women.

Conversations that Sparked Change!

In breakout groups, participants shared reflections and dreams for the future:

Leveraging faith leaders to shift social norms and champion renewable energy.
Documenting case studies and toolkits to share what works across regions.
Exploring carbon finance and government subsidies as pathways for scaling.
Building regional training hubs to equip more women as energy leaders.

One participant summed it up beautifully: “Energy justice is faith in action ; it lights homes, livelihoods, and hope.”

Why It Matters!

This workshop was not just about solar panels or pumps. It was about building a movement rooted in trust, collaboration, and spirit. Radical partnerships across faiths, sectors, and regions are showing the world that women of faith are not waiting — they are already leading.

From agriculture in East Africa (Workshop 1) to Eco Champions in Southern Africa (Workshop 2), and now renewable energy in South Asia (Workshop 3), the 2025 series has spotlighted diverse, innovative, and deeply inspiring models of women-led climate action. Together, they form a living library of what is possible when faith and climate justice meet.

Learn More!

Read the full Workshop 3 Report here.
Catch up on Workshop 2 (Eco Champions blog) here.
Workshop 1 (Sustainable Agriculture blog) here

Get Involved!

Share these stories with your networks.
Invite women from your community or congregation to join WFCN here.
Contribute your own story of women-led, faith-inspired climate action here.
Partner with us to co-create the next wave of collaboration.

These workshops remind us: when women of faith lead, entire communities rise, and when they partner across borders and beliefs, they don’t just imagine a better world, they build it.