Accelerate Action: Rights, Equality, Empowerment for All Women and Girls through Renewable Energy

Virtual

Empowering women and girls through renewable energy both in areas where universal access is granted and areas where access is still expanding, means investing in proper skilling and training initiatives from an early age. Bridging the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, vocational training, and leadership programs is essential to unlocking their full potential. Additionally, in regions where energy poverty persists, expanding access to clean energy solutions can significantly enhance opportunities for women – boosting entrepreneurship, improving healthcare and education, and lifting entire communities.

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2025, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) co-organised a webinar, titled Accelerate Action: Rights, Equality, Empowerment for All Women and Girls through Renewable Energy, held on Tuesday, 11 March 2025 at 14:00 CET (17:00 GST). The online panel discussion explored ways to ensure all women and girls have the skills, opportunities, and access needed to thrive in the energy sector. Considering that the renewable energy workforce is predicted to grow to about 39 million in 2050, the attraction and retention of female talent will be crucial to ensure a thriving sector, and requires targeted actions.

Hosted by Celia García-Baños (Programme Officer, Policy Socioeconomics and Gender of IRENA), moderated by Christine Lins (Executive Director of GWNET), and opened by Gauri Singh (Deputy Director-General of IRENA), the webinar saw the following speakers share success stories and concrete examples of accelerating action for gender equality in the renewable energy sector:

  • Ellen von Zitzewitz (Deputy Head of Division, Bilateral cooperation on hydrogen infrastructure, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action)
  • Rosilena Lindo Riggs (Global Climate and Energy Advisor, former Energy Secretary of Panama)
  • Bertha Dlamini (President of African Women in Energy and Power)
  • Sunita Dubey (Regional lead and Vietnam Country Representative of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet)
  • Filagot Woldeselassie (Co-founder of the Ethiopian Women in Energy Association)