Mainstreaming Inclusion in Indonesia’s Energy Transition: Mouna Wasef’s Journey Beyond the Short Course
For Mouna Wasef, Indonesia’s energy transition is not only about changing energy systems—it is about ensuring that the transition is inclusive, equitable and accountable. As Head of the Research and Advocacy Division at Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, Mouna leads research and advocacy initiatives involving government ministries, state-owned enterprises, private sector associations and community groups. Her interest in energy justice grew as Indonesia placed greater emphasis on the transition to clean energy, particularly following the launch of the Just Energy Transition Partnership during Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022.
Short Course Experience
In 2024, Mouna participated in the Short Course on Mainstreaming Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in Indonesia’s Energy Transition at Griffith University. For Mouna, the course strengthened her ability to translate GEDSI principles into practical tools for policy research, organisational practice and advocacy. Learning about Social License to Operate, IAP2 participation principles and gender-responsive evaluation enabled Mouna to compare Australian and Indonesian approaches while recognising the need to adapt solutions to Indonesia’s diverse context.
“I had written policy papers before, but the Short Course introduced concrete tools to measure and monitor GEDSI properly,” she explained.
Award Project and Outcomes
As part of her Short Course, Mouna developed an Award Project focusing on strengthening meaningful participation and GEDSI mainstreaming in renewable energy development, particularly geothermal projects. The project examined how communities and under-represented groups could participate more effectively in energy decision-making, and how companies and policymakers could improve consultation, accountability and inclusion. The project connected frameworks from the Short Course with Mouna’s existing work in energy governance and advocacy.
Mouna also applied lessons from the Short Course to the Women for JET Coalition, which brings together 18 organisations working to advance gender equality and social inclusion in energy policy. The coalition engaged with the selection process for members of the National Energy Council, helping increase the visibility of women’s leadership in national energy governance.
“Progress in policy advocacy is often incremental, but creating space for women’s voices in energy governance is an important step towards a more inclusive transition,” explains Mouna.
Strengthening Gender-Related Activities
The Short Course helped Mouna apply GEDSI practices within PWYP Indonesia. One practical outcome was her contribution to discussions on strengthening organisational standard operating procedures related to disability inclusion. Drawing on her engagement with Griffith University’s disability support services, Mouna encouraged the organisation to clarify responsibilities for workplace accommodation, including support for staff with psychosocial disabilities. This moved inclusion beyond an organisational commitment towards more consistent practice.
The course also strengthened Mouna’s ability to support gender-focused advocacy and capacity building. While the Women for JET Coalition had already been formed, the Short Course helped Mouna frame its advocacy more clearly and communicate gender-related arguments to policy actors accustomed to technical and economic discussions. The experience also increased her professional visibility, leading to more invitations to contribute as a researcher, speaker and resource person on gender equality, disability inclusion and just energy transition.
