The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria, REAN is partnering Women in Energy Network (WIEN) to host the International Women in Energy Symposium.
This, it says is in recognition of the link between gender equality and reduced energy poverty and need to support strategies that will promote and enable equal participation of women in the energy value chain.
Despite making up 48 per cent of global labour force – women only account for 22 per cent of the traditional energy sector. For management levels, the numbers are even lower.
The barriers women face in the energy sector are similar to those they face elsewhere in the economy.
However, the challenges of the energy sector are more pressing since the sector is going through a process of transformation; clean energy transitions will require innovative solutions and business models to be adopted and greater participation from a diverse talent pool.
Evidence continues to show that greater diversity and inclusion in decision-making teams produces better business outcomes.
Speaking at a press conference, the organisers said the virtual event tagged “Light Up Africa” will yield initiatives to extend the footprint of women in Energy to new frontiers and increase their talent contribution.
“We are delighted to be co-hosting the Women in Energy Symposium. There has never been a more critical time to amplify discussions that will enhance gender inclusion in the energy sector. The Symposium joins a growing list of activities that REAN is involved in to encourage the participation of women in the energy sector. We are certain that this event will deliver positive outcomes,” Lande Abudu, executive secretary, REAN said.
In alignment with the 2021 global International Womens Day theme – Choose to Challenge” the Symposium looks to encourage women across Africa to choose to challenge gender bias and inequality, to take a position in driving the energy transition and to celebrate the achievements of women driven successes in the energy sector.
“In partnership with REAN, we aim to bring together the women in energy across Africa to collaborate on a SMART gender inclusion action plan, signing a charter to commit to the action items within a certain timeline.
This presents another opportunity for further actualization of the WIEN vision, which is to be the leading Network that promotes the participation and advancement of Women in leadership across the energy value chain in support of National Development,” Funmi Ogbue, President, WIEN said.
This year, the symposium promises to host seasoned speakers drawn from the renewable energy space, government agencies, academia, as well as oil and energy companies with sustainable business models on energy transition.
This year, the symposium promises to host seasoned speakers in similar pedigree, drawn from the renewable energy space, government agencies, academia, as well as oil and energy companies with sustainable business models on energy transition.
Activities lined up ahead of the symposium includes:
Supernova girl initiative : Supernova girl is a WIEN Initiative to encourage and motivate young girls to study related subjects and aspire to come into the energy industry. This will be carried out through school visits by the organisers.
The Light up Africa with women Pledge: leveraging on the 2021 Global IWD theme, the organisers will encourage CEOs of key companies and government officials in Nigeria to do a photo pledge supporting the IWD theme and post on their Social Media handles using #LightUpAfrica, #ChooseToChallenge hashtags.
Stakeholders will be asked to choose from a couple of key themes presented by the organisers to make Public commitments to drive positive change and monitor progress towards gender equality in the energy industry and a gender equal Africa.
Winning with Women Award (WIWA): The Winning with Women Award is an Employer programme to recognize and reward companies, and individuals who champion workplace policies and programmes that help women succeed and thrive.
The organisers are hereby calling on companies to self-nominate or be nominated for this award.
The Virtual Symposium is scheduled to hold 9:00am – 3:00pm on Saturday the 13th of March 2021.