Bandung, April 27, 2025— Energy transition is now a global issue of serious concern, from affected farmers to vulnerable women anxious about the current climate crisis. But behind the efforts to shift from fossil energy to renewable energy, an important question arises: is this process truly fair and inclusive for all, especially for women from vulnerable groups?
Responding to this concern, SHEnergy Fest is present as a meeting space that voices the importance of justice in the energy transition from a woman’s perspective. The festival, which was successfully held in Bandung, is a collaborative initiative of young people from the LBH APIK Indonesia Association, Kalyanamitra Foundation, Youth Force Indonesia 2030, and the Women for Jet Coalition, with support from Oxfam in Indonesia.
This year, SHEnergy carries the spirit of inclusivity and sustainability. SHEnergy Fest brings together diverse elements of civil society through an educational and creative festival concept. A variety of activities including workshops, talk shows, art exhibitions, interactive games, and petition signings were designed to achieve several key objectives. First, to enhance young people’s understanding of the just energy transition, enabling them to become agents of change within their communities. Second, to promote a just narrative from the perspective of women, a group often marginalized in energy-related issues. Third, to foster cross-community collaboration through artistic expression, dialogue, and collective action, in an effort to broaden advocacy outreach and build solidarity in the movement toward a just and sustainable energy future.
The main agenda of SHEnergy Fest is packed in a series of interesting and diverse activities. Starting from the Zine and Sign Language Workshop raising the issue of fair and environmentally friendly transportation, in this discussion the important point of equitable transportation is the inclusiveness of people with disabilities in the energy transition process. In addition to the Workshop, this event also presented a Talkshow on Gender justice in Energy Transition with speakers from LBH APIK, Walhi West Java, and the ESDM Office, which dissected the four main principles of energy justice, namely recognition, procedural, distributive, and remedia. Finally, the event successfully featured an art performance entitled “Relation between Women, Nature and Energy” presenting a space for creative expression through poetry, theater and acoustic music to illustrate the relationship between women and environmental and energy issues. Not to forget, the Art Installation and Watching Corner also presented infographics and short videos recording women’s struggles in facing the energy and climate crisis, as well as a means of reflection for festival visitors.
I’m glad to have been part of SHEnergy Fest, because this event created a space for us women from diverse backgrounds to speak up and be directly involved in the issue of energy transition. For so long, women’s voices have often been overlooked, even though we are the ones most affected. I hope events like this will continue and reach more communities across different regions.”
–Afrida, Civil Society Representative
As a university student, I’ve come to understand that the energy transition isn’t just about technology; it’s also about justice and equality for everyone, especially for women. Through SHEnergy Fest, I saw how crucial the roles of women and young people are in driving change. This isn’t just a festival; it’s a space for learning and real action.”
–Salma, Student at UIN Bandung
The enthusiasm of the community towards the organization of SHEnergy Fest was reflected in the various positive responses of the participants who attended. Many of those present felt that this event was an important space for everyone to provide ideas and ideas for climate crisis issues, especially regarding the voices of women and vulnerable groups to be heard and valued in the energy transition issue. As stated by Afrida, one of the participants from civil society representatives, she admitted that this event could provide full space for her because so far the discussion of women’s issues at the grassroots level has rarely been discussed. For Afrida, SHEnergy Fest is not just a ceremonial event but a space for actualization and solidarity across communities. The hope that this kind of festival can reach more regions was raised, showing that the need for participatory spaces like this is increasingly urgent.
SHEnergy Fest has opened collaboration space for communities, organizations, and institutions that want to be involved both as media partners and booth fillers. Apart from being a means of fundraising, this involvement also opens up opportunities to disseminate information and build wider advocacy networks.
Enter Nusantara’s presence at SHEnergy represents a concrete form of youth involvement in the fight for a just and sustainable energy transition. As a youth-led community concerned with climate and energy issues, Enter Nusantara has consistently committed to amplifying grassroots voices and delivering real solutions amidst the climate crisis. One of their initiatives includes the installation of solar panels in underserved areas with limited access to electricity. At SHEnergy Fest, Enter Nusantara participated to share experiences, expand collaboration, and continue advocating for the importance of inclusive engagement in securing a greener and more equitable energy future.
