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| The Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr. Ashatu Kijaji. Photo: Courtesy |
By Charles Mkoka
The Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Dr. Ashatu Kijaji, has emphasized the importance of clean cooking energy, highlighting its role in protecting girls from the hardships caused by using unsafe energy sources such as firewood and charcoal.
She noted that these challenges include lost study time due to the need to collect firewood, as well as health issues stemming from the use of unclean energy.
"When I hear about clean cooking energy, I see it as a crucial initiative that will save not only women and children but also men who spend significant time searching for firewood and charcoal.
These unclean and unsafe energy sources come with harmful consequences," said Dr. Kijaji.
She further commended President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan for championing the clean cooking energy initiative across Africa.
Dr. Kijaji added that this strategy will free Tanzanians from the burden of searching for firewood, allowing them to dedicate more time to development activities.
Dr. Kijaji urged citizens to embrace clean cooking energy to protect the environment, including water sources located in forests, and to address the effects of climate change, citing unpredictable rainfall patterns as an example.
She also stressed that protecting the environment will help Tanzanians overcome the health challenges associated with unclean energy sources.
"Some trees are toxic, and using charcoal from them during cooking can cause harm.
Inhaling the smoke from such trees can damage a woman's lungs," Dr. Kijaji cautioned.