In Pakistan, solar streetlights are illuminating the way to safety and empowerment for refugee women and girls
In Pakistan, solar streetlights are illuminating the way to safety and empowerment for refugee women and girls
Hukumrana and her friends chat under a solar streetlight in front of their houses.
Not so long ago, women in Chaghi Refugee Village stayed inside their homes all night once darkness blanketed their village. Situated in the vast and remote Balochistan Province, the village is home to over 2,000 refugees, and has grappled with a lack of electricity for decades, leaving families reliant on basic lighting tools such as oil lamps and candles during the night.
Having lived in the village for 45 years since arriving from Kandahar in search of refuge, Hukumrana Bibi vividly recalls the time before UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, stepped in to help the community install solar streetlights in her village.
"Before, we could not even dream of stepping outside at night," noted Hukumrana, describing her worry about exposure to harassment, robbery or even violence.
For Hukumrana and her fellow women in the village, the feelings of fear were pervasive. Even going to the outdoor toilet at night made them feel insecure and unsafe. To reduce the risk of potential danger, they always accompanied one another.
Engaging the women of village in the solar light committee was the first step, where they actively participated in selecting the best locations for installing the lights. This ensured that that their safety was a priority, their views critical to the success of the project.
The transformative moment for the village arrived when solar streetlights first lit up as dusk fell in October. The once-dark courtyards and streets now bask in the glow of streetlights, deterring wrongdoers from hiding in the shadows.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign theme was "Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls," focusing on the importance of financing different prevention strategies to stop violence from occurring in the first place. Related to the campaign, UNHCR is shining a light on improvements that have contributed to women and girls' safety.
"Solar lighting has enabled women and girls to venture out at night without fear of harm"
"We now feel safe. We can visit each other at night, making the most out of our evenings in each other’s company," noted Hukumrana.
"Solar lighting has enabled women and girls to venture out at night without fear of harm. This, in turn, has increased their confidence, with its positive effects extending to men and boys," stated Philippa Candler, UNHCR Representative in Pakistan. "Beyond improving safety and security during nighttime, these lights promote sustainability through renewable energy, benefitting the overall well-being of communities."
Once installed by UNHCR’s energy partner, Tameer–e-Khalaq Foundation, the impact wasn't only limited to women and girls in Chaghi Village; it extended also to the men and boys in the community.
Imam Mir Ahmad, an elder of the community, had witnessed this darkness for over 40 years. Originally hailing from Helmand, Afghanistan, he had come to Pakistan when he was just 25. "The installation of solar streetlights has played a crucial role in providing security to our people. Before, the fear was palpable. Now, these lights have dispelled the shadows of fear. We can move freely after sunset, socialize, and even seek medical help when needed."
Children, including Mohmmad Waris, in Chaghi Refugee Village gather to play football during nighttime.
Muhammad Arif, a 24-year-old working in a local medical store and serving as an outreach volunteer for UNHCR, shared, "After sunset, we can gather outdoors, play games, and socialize. We've found a new sense of community and belonging under the gentle glow of these lights." Meanwhile, five-year-old Mohammad Waris, who had just begun his school journey, could now indulge in his love for football with his friends, even after sunset.
In Pakistan, UNHCR, in collaboration with partners, is addressing energy access challenges in refugee villages by introducing solar streetlights, with three locations now lit up at night, including Chaghi. UNHCR is in the process of installing solar streetlights and floodlights in ten refugee villages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Provinces with the generous support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Signify Foundation Netherlands, which will be up and running in 2024.
