Around the world, 3 billion people burn solid fuels such as wood and charcoal for their daily cooking needs. Women and girls can spend up to five hours a day searching for and collecting fuel, taking time away from educational and economic opportunities and putting their safety at risk.
Dangers for girls and women are particularly pronounced in crisis and conflict settings. This week, the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, which is working to build a thriving global market for clean cookstoves, officially joined the United Nations Refugee Agency and other partners in the global effort to increase safe and reliable access to energy for refugees.
Through clean cookstoves and fuels, more girls can have the opportunity to stay safe.
Visit cleancookstoves.org and follow @cookstoves on Twitter to learn more.
Photo credit: Ben West