Why is the inclusion of women essential to building a sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy future?
One can look at this question from many perspectives, and in all of them it becomes quite clear that women’s inclusion is nothing more and nothing less than the right thing to do. First of all, from a human rights perspective, it is important to grant women equal rights, resources and representation when it comes to the use of energy as well as work in the energy sector. From a demand side, women make up half of the population and, therefore, also one half of the final customers of energy supply. No matter if we look at women-headed households or at women-owned SMEs, it makes sense to take on a feminist perspective and consider women’s needs or preferences when offering energy to customers. This leads to the conclusion on the supply side: only if women are represented significantly in decision-making processes, from management positions to community engagement, can the way the way energy is supplied be adapted adequately.
From your perspective, what progress have you seen in advancing women’s participation and leadership within the energy sector over recent years?
We have seen a significant increase in projects financed by KfW in the energy sector that now have gender equality as part of their target framework. The figures speak a more than clear language: in the last five years, the share of new projects with a gender target has almost quadruplicated, with now roughly half of the recent portfolio contributing to gender equality. Nevertheless, not only quantity but also quality matters: in comparison to a couple of years ago, gender aspects are now being analysed during our project preparation in a much more structured manner as part of an overall, portfolio-wide gender mainstreaming. Here, it is important to take on an intersectional, target-group-centred point of view. Nowadays, thinking about gender equality in energy sector projects has become an integral part of project planning.
Can you share an example of an initiative or intervention that has successfully supported women in energy and created meaningful impact?
At KfW Development Bank, together with our partners, we have made good experiences with programmes that promote the engagement of young women in male-dominated work fields through scholarships for female school and university students. In Tajikistan’s remote Gorno-Badakhshan region, as a component of a hydropower project, selected female students enrolled in STEM fields not only have major parts of their study costs covered, but the local energy provider also offers internships for technical professions. The selection process for the scholarships was doneunder feminist principles and decided on by a mostly female jury. In Kenya, communities in the surrounding areas of a hydropower plant receive support via the construction of schools and basic infrastructure. Especially girls benefit from scholarship programmes that cover tuition fees for secondary school enrolment and, perspectively, for university. Amongst the selection criteria for the scholarships are the household income or vulnerabilities from an intersectional point of view.
How can organisations create environments where women are empowered to thrive, lead and contribute meaningfully across the energy value chain?
There are surely many ways; I would like to highlight two factors that are key in my opinion. The first one is to listen. To listen to women, hear their voices and understand what is needed so that work environments can be safe spaces. When we talk about creating environments, there is no blueprint, and every setting needs individual approaches in order to be able to empower women effectively, given the individual circumstances. This can only be achieved if we listen to the women.
The second one is to use men as allies. If women empowerment leaves male perspectives completely out, it might soon become an uphill battle. On the contrary, if men can be convinced that women empowerment is not a threat but beneficial for all, results can be achieved more efficiently. Together, we are strong.
What opportunities do you see for women to play a greater role in shaping South Africa’s energy transition?
South Africa’s energy transition offers a unique chance to link decarbonisation with social justice. I believe that there is strong potential for women to shape investment decisions, community engagement and innovation. The expansion of renewables, grid modernisation and even new business models in distributed energy open roles for women as engineers, planners, financiers and entrepreneurs. A just transition in coal regions can deliberately prioritise reskilling and enterprise development for women, including in new value chains around clean energy, services and manufacturing. I would even dare to say that a truly just energy transition is impossible without women as equal decision‑makers, innovators and rights holders. Their leadership makes energy systems more inclusive, resilient and responsive to real community needs.
