The World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), in partnership with the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), has undertaken a study targeted at findings to set a baseline for gender in the hydropower industry.
This study report has today been launched in a virtual event by ESMAP/World Bank speakers with statements from IHA and GWNET, Debbie Gray and myself.
The set of barriers identified and recommendations to the sector range from huge perception deviations on workplace conditions, payment and opportunities for career steps between females and males and should be intensely worked on within various players in the sector - from industry to academia.
What comes next - after all these insights? IHA and GWNET together with other bodies fostering female growth and visibility in hydropower will certainly spread the work on the analysis of the current situation, followed by program initiatives that help enterprises and education of girls and women in STEM and setting up mentoring and equality awareness trainings. What is a crucial element for the future: take men with you as allies in all the processes following!
The full report with its very concise executive summary can be found underGender in Hydropower-Study
Details on the study set-up:
A desk top research, added up by an online survey was part of the IHA-led and GWNET-supported study work and also entertained Focus Discussion Groups and Key Informant Interviews with peers in the industry, to put perceptions together with data on the gender employment gap. The report, has made it to determine where women work within companies, identifying barriers to entry and advancement, as well as effective strategies to address those barriers.
Women and men working in the sector were encouraged to take part in the survey thus reflecting views and information from people working in private companies, public utilities, governmental and non-governmental organisations.