Equality

The San Jose Technology Museum has recognized LUTW with the Knight Ridder Equality award for its work in advancing and advocating the use of SSL for providing a small solution to large problems of inequality.

In many developing countries, women must assume the bulk of the productive, reproductive and community organization roles but have limited political power and social status. Adding to their responsibility, for example, Nepalese women spend several hours a day scouring the landscape for scarce firewood. Others trek for 2-7 days to reach the nearest kerosene depot only to find that no fuel is available or it is too expensive (1). LUTW works to address these issues by using solid state lighting as a community development tool in areas where inequality, poverty, and illiteracy are a complex problem. 

(1) UNDP Nepal Human Development Report 2001: Poverty reduction and Governance Annex 1.