A groundbreaking report released by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank highlights the urgent need for addressing gender equality within the hydropower industry.
Titled "Power with full force: Getting to gender equality in the hydropower sector," the report offers five pivotal recommendations for stakeholders committed to bridging the existing gender disparities within the industry.
The report is a pivotal step towards driving change in a sector where women remain significantly underrepresented. Its core recommendations encompass the following key points:
- Promote STEM Education: Initiatives to eliminate barriers that deter women from pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degrees are essential.
- Equalize Workplace Gender Disparities: The report underscores the importance of identifying gender gaps in the workplace and implementing policies to rectify them.
- Raise Awareness: Promote hydropower as a compelling career choice for women by raising awareness about the opportunities it offers.
- Mentorship and Role Models: Provide mentoring, role models, and networking opportunities to empower women within the sector.
- Engage Men in the Conversation: Encourage men to actively participate in discussions on gender inequality and take proactive steps to diminish gender gaps.
The report illuminates the obstacles impeding gender equality in the hydropower industry and outlines strategies for overcoming these barriers. It aims to bolster the involvement of women at every level of the hydropower workforce.
Debbie Gray, the Interim Head of Policy at the International Hydropower Association (IHA), remarked upon the report's release, stating: " One of the most important things we can do to close the gender gap in the hydropower sector is to talk about it. We need to take stock and evaluate what the gender gaps are in the sector and find solutions to close those gaps. Publishing this report continues the conversation in the industry while providing practical, concrete and specific recommendations that different stakeholders can put into place."
The report challenges the hydropower sector to recognize its vital role in the shift towards low-carbon energy systems and urges the industry to tap into the full spectrum of talent available. Currently, women constitute only 25% of the hydropower sector's labor force, despite projections that the sector will employ 3.7 million individuals by 2050. Building an inclusive and balanced workforce with equal opportunities for both genders is not only economically advantageous but also socially significant. The report emphasizes that to harness the diverse skills and talents of individuals, the hydropower sector must continue its efforts to be more welcoming and inclusive to women.
This vital report was published by the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and draws upon research and analysis conducted by the International Hydropower Association, in collaboration with the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET).
