These “Solar Mamas” help bring solar power to off-grid communities. The programme trains women to become change-makers, and they all return home with at least 50 sets of household solar panel kits and the skills to install and maintain them.

Credits: PA;

Barefoot College International focuses its programme on middle-aged women, as they often have the strongest links to their communities, but the programme is facing some cultural resistance in communities where gender roles traditionally prevent women from working in technical roles.