• The German-Mexican Energy Partnership (EP) promoted a discussion among women professionals and researchers in the energy sector who enhance a cross-gender approach in favor of a just energy transition.

November 23, 2021 - Mexico City.- The forum "Women in the energy sector: celebrating the global network of women for the energy transition", had the objective of recognizing the urgency of fostering a gender equity in the energy sector, and to celebrate the launch of the "Woman Energize Woman" campaign, a communication initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi), and implemented in the country by the German Cooperation for Sustainable Development in Mexico (GIZ Mexico) and the German Federation for Renewable Energies (BEE).

Likewise, among other initiatives, the Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) program was recognized, which seeks to increase a fair incidence of women in the sector by identifying and eliminating systemic issues that foster gender disparity.

During the event, it was highlighted that in order to enhance the energy transition and combat climate change effectively, it is necessary to have a cross-cutting gender approach that involves women equally in all processes and positions, including leadership positions.

Marita Brömmelmeier, resident director of GIZ in Mexico, highlighted that sustainable cooperation programs between Mexico and Germany consider gender equality as a cross-cutting issue. In this regard, she emphasized: "In the case of climate change programs, we consider gender equality as a very important factor for the success of a just energy transition".

The event also included the participations of Sarah Basic, representative of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Mexico; and the virtual participation of Sheila Cadena, Secretary of Energy Development of the state of Tabasco; among other women who work to promote an agenda in favor of sustainable energy and gender equality.

Throughout the dialogue, some disparities in the labor sector were pointed out, such as wage inequality and the lack of a work environment free of gender violence.

According to Sarah Basic, it is estimated that women occupy less than a third (1/3) of the renewable energy workforce, she added that men tend to have a higher incidence of filling management positions compared to women.

In conclusion, the attendees agreed that by promoting equitable practices in companies, greater profit margins and return on capital are fostered, while fairer labor practices are carried out; however, they stressed that there are still discriminatory acts that generate labor disparities that still need to be addressed.

#GenderEquity #Inclusion #EnergySector

Contact:

Carolina Guerrero (mariana.guerrerorivera(at)giz.de)

William Jensen-Díaz (william.jensen(at)giz.de)