South Asia Women in Energy (Sawie) USISPF & USAID initiative

Advancing gender equality and the promotion of women's leadership is not only critical for economic growth and sustainable development, it is essential to tacking the climate crisis.” Speaking about US- India relations and collaboration in climate change and sustainability he remarked, “India is a major player on a global stage. Decisive action from India now, in partnership with the rest of the world will determine what this transformation will mean for all generations to come.

We need an urgent action plan against the threat of climate change in the same way we have one to fight the pandemic. I am looking forward to the Secretary’s upcoming visit to India and the two countries uniting strongly against this common challenge that affects all of us and future generations. We have also seen that the current health and economic crisis and the climate crisis has had a disproportionate impact on women. We need gender equity to be the front and center of business priorities, build a work culture where women can thrive and grow to their true potential.

USAID is committed to maximize women’s participation and to strengthen gender diversity and equity in the energy sector and today we feel proud to launch the regional chapter called ’South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE)’ from this platform.

Major issues in women participation are at recruitment, retention and advancement stages. Companies need to ensure level playing field rather than retaining conventional approach.

Three key areas for women equality at workplace are enabling infrastructure, financial empowerment and women in position of influence.

A gender-equitable recovery from this pandemic will require reliable access to renewable energy because in the modern economy, energy unlocks potential. It empowers women and girls to be healthier and safer; to study, earn money, and start businesses; and to lead their families, their communities, and local economies. At The Rockefeller Foundation, we are committed to working with partners around the world to ensure a more equitable and sustainable future, where opportunity is truly universal.

Our main goal is to be purposeful and have an all-inclusive mindset allowing women to be themselves and bring out the best in everyone.

The SAWIE Leadership Summit provides the perfect platform to discuss ideas and insights that will help boost the representation of women in the energy sector. We know that gender parity and sustainability have close interlinkages and it is imperative that women are integral to the ongoing energy transition and play an enhanced role in the sector. The takeaways from this summit will strengthen SAWIE’s efforts to create a more gender responsive energy sector.

Competence, confidence and courage is the mantra women need to adopt. They need to proactively market their work and have the courage to take risks as well as venture into new areas.

Women need to reach out & find ecosystems of support both in working women and in male role models willing to step in and work at home to aid women in their careers.

Paid internships, championing women in the workplace, providing them with role models, and crucially, making gender diversification a part of the metric used to rank companies and performance managers can take on this issue of gender dynamics, from aspiration to determination.