Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia has launched an anthology titled “Nyala Inklusi: Women and Vulnerable Groups on the Frontlines of the Energy Transition.” This book serves as a space for reflection and critique on the implementation of the energy transition in Indonesia, which is considered not yet fully inclusive and equitable.
The book launch was combined with a discussion entitled “Women’s Leadership and the Voice of Local Communities in Realizing a Just Energy Transition” on March 9, 2026 in Central Jakarta, coinciding with the momentum of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026.
PWYP Indonesia Coordinator Aryanto Nugroho stated that the book’s development stems from Indonesia’s current situation in a crucial phase of accelerating the energy transition. However, in practice, women, indigenous peoples, local communities, people with disabilities, and youth are often positioned as mere recipients of policy impacts.
“These groups should be the primary stakeholders in the decision-making process regarding the energy transition,” Aryanto said in a written statement.
The book “Nyala Inklusi” (The Light of Inclusion) contains 22 selected stories from over 160 submissions from various regions across Indonesia. The writings highlight the experiences of local communities, such as a critique of patriarchy in the energy transition on Java Island, the struggle of indigenous women in Poco Leok against green extractivism, and a women’s initiative in Donoharjo to independently develop biogas energy.
Head of Strategic Communications and Campaigns for the Resource Justice Network (RJN), Zoe Spriet-Mezoued, who was present as a keynote speaker, assessed that the energy transition risks creating new inequalities if it only focuses on mineral exploitation without involving the community.
“The energy transition is not just about changing technology, but also about changing power relations—who has the right to make decisions,” he said.
Meanwhile, PWYP Indonesia Deputy Director Meliana Lumbantoruan emphasized that local practices from grassroots communities demonstrate that a just energy transition can be achieved if the community is actively involved.
“The benefits of the energy transition must be felt fairly by all parties, not just a handful of groups,” said Meliana.
In the discussion, Sripeni Inten Cahyani, a member of the National Energy Council (DEN) Stakeholders, emphasized the importance of integrating gender perspectives in all stages of energy policy, from planning to supervision.
According to Sripeni, women are still often positioned as energy consumers, even though they have great potential as decision-makers in the energy sector.
The discussion also featured a number of other speakers, such as Rina Prasarani (HWDI), Mikewati Vera Tangka (Indonesian Women’s Coalition), and Dian Amalia Ariani, a Prohealth journalist and winner of the Nyala Inklusi essay competition.
The book also introduces the Energy Inclusion Quadrant (IEC) concept developed by PWYP Indonesia. Mouna Wasef, Head of the Research and Advocacy Division at PWYP Indonesia, explained that this concept encourages women, youth, and people with disabilities to become co-producers of energy, not just consumers.
“Through this book, we want to strengthen the Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) narrative in energy policy dialogue,” said Mouna.
PWYP Indonesia hopes that the book “Nyala Inklusi” can serve as a reference for policymakers so that the energy transition agenda towards the 2060 Net Zero Emission target runs more fairly and does not leave vulnerable groups behind.
Source: Dnews