Without streetlights, even basic mobility becomes a challenge, especially for women and girls. In such rural area, the absence of adequate lighting directly affects women’s safety, freedom of movement, and access to education and employment. But a simple solution — solar street lighting — is helping rewrite this narrative.
In India, over 65% of the population lives in rural areas, many of which still lack reliable electricity infrastructure. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), more than 30% of women in rural India feel unsafe walking alone after sunset — not due to lack of roads or transport, but because of darkness and the fear it brings.
Studies conducted by organizations such as the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) have highlighted that poor lighting increases the risk of harassment, assault, and crime, pushing women to limit their movements and decisions — even basic ones like fetching water, attending school, or returning from work.
Solar Street Lights: A Game-Changer
Solar-powered street lights are emerging as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to this issue. Unlike traditional street lights, these do not rely on grid electricity and can be installed in remote or underserved locations.
A survey conducted across villages in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh by Prayatna and its partner organizations revealed:
- 95% of women felt safer walking in the village after solar lights were installed.
- 85% of families reported increased participation of women in evening activities like self-help group meetings, night classes, and vocational training.
- In areas where solar street lights were installed near schools and public toilets, instances of harassment dropped by nearly 70%.
Empowerment and Dignity
Solar street lights don’t just reduce darkness — they expand opportunities. Girls can walk home safely from tuition classes, women can attend evening gatherings, and local markets can run longer, boosting small businesses. In several villages, community members have reported:
- Higher school attendance among girls due to increased perception of safety.
- Increased mobility for working women, especially those in healthcare, domestic work, or agriculture.
- Community ownership, with youth and women’s groups taking responsibility for maintenance and security around the lights.
Scaling the Impact
There are currently over 600,000 villages in India, and yet, less than 15% of them have full street lighting coverage. The government’s National Street Lighting Programme and efforts by NGOs have made significant strides, but the demand far outpaces the supply.
Installing just 10 solar street lights in a village can illuminate major routes, schools, toilets, and community centers — creating a circle of safety for everyone, especially women and girls.
As we move toward a more inclusive and equitable India, lighting up rural pathways with the power of the sun is not just an environmental choice — it’s a social imperative.
Let us light the path, so every woman can walk it — freely, fearlessly, and with dignity. 🌙✨
