Women’s participation in energy sector not ‘zero-sum game’: EGYPS 2023

To discuss how gender equality can contribute to the transition towards clean energy, a concluding panel discussion in EGYPS 2023 held on Wednesday tackling the present situation of women in the energy sector and how to furtherly improve it.

The panelists touched upon how the current situation of women in the industry improved, while still being in need for further development.

Eleanor Rowley, managing director of Capricorn Energy in Egypt and one of the panelists, stated she observed women’s participation increasing over the time she spent in the industry.

Meanwhile, Lamé Verre, co-founder and Board Co-chair of Lean In Equity & Sustainability; Amru Alabidi, Senior Vice President Oman, UAE, Iraq, and North Africa at Worley, perceived the right approach is to take into consideration the issues of talent and not be “fixated on numbers” while discussing women’s participation in the sector.

The panel also discussed actual steps taken in order to facilitate gender equality in the sector. Marla Wright, Global Business Development Manager at Bechtel, outlined her organisation’s keenness on showing young girls the options they have and encouraging them to join STEM sector.

Rowley also pointed out to Egypt’s Women in Energy Network, an initiative she launched to empower Egyptian women in the industry through networking together.

Wright wrapped up the panel stating that women’s participation in the energy sector is not a “zero-sum game”, since all talents are needed to renovate the sector and transform to greener energy.