In celebrating the progress and advancement of women in the energy sector, an advocacy group, Women in Energy Network (WIEN), has called for concerted efforts to promote gender diversity in the sector.
President of WIEN, Funmi Ogbue, made the call at a press conference in preparation for the group’s 2023 International Women’s Day Breakfast Session, in partnership with Women in Shell Network and Seplat Awesome Women’s Network, which would hold with the theme, ‘Programmes and Initiatives for Equitable Access for Women in the Nigerian Energy Industry’.
A recent report by the International Energy Agency revealed that women make up only 22 per cent of the energy industry’s workforce in Nigeria, out of which only 12 per cent occupy senior management roles.
According to Ogbue, “the energy industry is critical to the growth and development of Nigeria, and women play an essential role in driving innovation, excellence and progress in this field. However, despite their contributions, women still face significant barriers to entry and advancement in the energy sector.”
In its third edition, the event provides a platform for industry experts, policymakers and advocates to share insights on various programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting equitable access for women in the Nigerian energy industry.
On the activities of the group, Ogbue stated that since inception in 2020, WIEN has been committed to the promotion and advancement of women in the energy sector.
“We have worked tirelessly to empower women through various initiatives and programmes including providing training and mentoring opportunities.
“We believe that women need to be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the energy sector. To this end, we have organised training and mentoring programmes that provide women with the tools they need to advance their careers.”
“Through WIEN’s networking events, women have also converged to share experiences, build relationships and create opportunities. We also advocate for equal opportunities and gender diversity in the workplace,” she added.
Ogbue noted that WIEN was committed to working towards the goal of advancement of women in the energy sector, adding that it was looking forward to collaborating with the incoming administration at the national level to create a more equitable and inclusive energy sector and to prioritise the advancement of women in the energy sector.
“We believe that this can be achieved through policies and initiatives that promote equal opportunities, gender diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We also urge the government to support training and mentoring programmes for women in the industry and to encourage public-private partnerships that promote gender diversity in the sector,” Ogbue said.
