18 April 2018: Data on women’s participation in the energy sector is key to achieve an energy transition that is gender balanced. Participants to a workshop organized by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) discussed how data gaps on women and energy can be overcome.

Women are substantially underrepresented in science, technology and engineering fields relevant for developing clean energy sources and ensuring energy access for all. At the same time, in many countries women suffer disproportionately from lack of access to energy and from pollution caused by unsuitable energy sources, such as indoor pollution from biomass fueled cooking stoves. Achieving access to affordable and clean energy for all (SDG 7) is therefore closely connected to achieving gender equality (SDG 5).

One of the key challenges in developing strategies for a gender-balanced energy transition is the lack of data on women’s participation in the clean energy sector. The workshop titled, ‘Knowledge Building on Women in Clean Energy,’ aimed to share experiences in collecting, assessing and analyzing data on gender diversity and employment opportunities for women in the context of the energy transition.

Participants recognized the need for more gender-disaggregated data, but also emphasized the need for clear guidance on what data is needed and why. They also stressed that quantitative data must be complemented with qualitative information to identify barriers for women’s participation in the clean energy workforce and develop appropriate strategies.

On data availability, the group noted that efforts by governments and international and national organizations are already underway and efforts should be made the IEA’s Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Technology Collaboration Programme (C3E TCP) to collaborate with leading instructions use and disseminate such information. Participants also recommended supporting the engagement of men in promoting women’s advancement into leadership roles in the energy sector.

Attended by more than 80 experts from governments, industry, academia and other organizations, the event included a dialogue with representatives from energy companies on a proposal for a common pledge for the private sector to achieve gender equality by 2030. The workshop was held on 18 April in Rome, Italy. [IEA Press Release] [Workshop Documentation] [IEA Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E TCP) Programme]