Giving Light and Hope in Rural Afghanistan

This book investigates into the effect of implementing environmentally healthy and community- driven solar electricity in rural Afghanistan, on women’s social and political role. The case study explores the Norwegian Church Aid’s project ‘Barefoot Approach’. The project targets women as beneficiaries, but also as community members with responsibility for maintaining the solar energy in their village through training as Barefoot Solar Engineers. By investigating women’s everyday life and relation to family, networks and community governance structures, this thesis maps out how solar energy implemented in rural Afghan homes can lead to empowerment and local political participation.