Gendering the South Asian Energy Sector: Challenges and Opportunities

Minding the Gender Gap: Context

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The energy sector plays a critical role in catalyzing growth and development in any economy. It is even more pivotal for the developing economies of South Asia, where energy demands continue to rise. South Asian region is at the cusp of clean energy transition, with India emerging as a leading champion with the fourth largest installed capacity of renewable energy[1] (RE). Given this context, it is important to highlight one of the often-neglected perspectives in the clean energy debate: gender and social inclusion and the notion of just transitions.

Apart from the inequitable energy access, evident in instances where women are responsible for collecting wood for fuel and traveling long distances to bring it home, as well as the health hazards associated with cooking using unclean energy sources, there is also a significant gender gap in the energy workforce. Women presently comprise 32 percent of overall employment in the worldwide renewable energy (RE) sector. However, when one disaggregates this data with respect to nature of jobs, it represents a rather skewed picture from a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) standpoint. For instance, 45 per cent of the women employed currently in the RE sector are in administrative jobs and only 28 per cent are involved in STEM jobs.[2]

Apart from the negative spillovers that an inequitable energy access has from a gender standpoint, it is also important to highlight the criticality of a just transition. Just transition as a concept has received immense recognition in the recent past and it is important to juxtapose it with GESI for gauzing holistic transition towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The energy sector plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and development in South Asia. As the region’s demand for energy continues to rise, it is crucial to address the gender gap that exists within the sector. Women’s underrepresentation in the South Asian energy industry is a pressing issue, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the region’s sustainable development. In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind the gender gap, the challenges it poses, and the potential opportunities for creating a more inclusive and thriving energy sector.

[1]Renewables 2022: Global Status Report
[2] IRENA, “Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective”, 2019

Challenges

The gender gaps in the South Asian energy sector are multifaceted, stemming from systemic challenges that hinder women’s participation and advancement. From limited access to education and skills training to entrenched cultural norms and biases, women face significant barriers in entering and thriving in technical roles within the energy industry. Moreover, pervasive gender bias and discrimination further exacerbate these disparities, impeding the sector’s overall progress and potential for inclusive growth. In this section, we delve into these critical issues, examining their impact on women’s representation and opportunities within the South Asian energy landscape.

Limited Access to Education and Skills Training:

Lack of robust career development opportunities hampers the ability of women to compete for higher-level positions in the energy sector, leading to unequal representation in the workforce. However, concerted attempts to increase the percentage of women in STEM have resulted in a significant increase in the number of women studying STEM in the region, especially in India but they have not translated into comparable ratios in the workforce. For instance, while the share of female graduates in STEM is as high as 42 per cent[3] in India, the female workforce distribution in STEM stands at only 27 per cent. When one further disaggregates this data, the percentage of females in core technical roles is further skewed. Women often get relegated in administrative roles within the STEM workforce pool.

One of the primary reasons often stated by women leaders in the region is that while entry level roles come through easily, it is very difficult to move up the ladder, especially in the energy sector due to an array of intersections barriers and gender role conditioning.

[3] World Economic Forum, ‘Global Gender Gap Report’, 2023

Cultural Norms and Gender Stereotypes:

Deep-rooted cultural norms and gender stereotypes often dictate traditional roles for women in society. These norms discourage women from pursuing careers in male-dominated industries like energy. The perception that certain jobs are "unsuitable" for women further perpetuates the gender gap within the sector.

Gender Bias and Discrimination:

Women in the energy sector frequently face gender bias and discrimination, ranging from unequal pay to limited opportunities for career advancement. Such discrimination undermines women's contributions and stifles their potential, hindering the overall progress of the industry.

Opportunities

Creating a more gender-inclusive and equitable energy sector in South Asia requires a determined effort from governments, energy companies, and stakeholders. By adopting gender-inclusive policies, investing in tailored training programs, encouraging women’s entrepreneurship in clean energy, and engaging men as allies, there’s a tremendous opportunity to bridge the gender gap and foster a more diverse and thriving workforce. In this section, we explore these strategies in detail, highlighting their potential to drive meaningful change and pave the way for a more inclusive and sustainable energy landscape in the region. In the current epoch of green jobs revolution, it is important to harness the full potential of the women workforce.

Promoting Gender-Inclusive Policies:

Governments and energy companies in South Asia have an opportunity to adopt gender-inclusive policies that prioritize diversity and gender equality. These policies can include targets for increasing female representation at all levels, providing equal pay for equal work, and implementing flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance. Many of such best practices have been employed by various utilities such as Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (MSDECL), who have guaranteed 30 per cent reservation for employing women as line workers. Another shining example from the South Asian region is mandating GESI through policy frameworks such as the ‘Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy and Operational Guidelines 2020’ at Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA).

Encouraging Innovative Support Mechanisms for Women Entrepreneurship in Clean Energy:

The transition to clean and renewable energy offers unique opportunities for women's entrepreneurship in South Asia. Encouraging and supporting women-led startups and businesses in the renewable energy sector can lead to innovative solutions and drive economic growth while narrowing the gender gap. This can be achieved by factoring some weightage to women founders among donor bodies and multilateral organizations in Request for Proposals (RfPs) etc, a practice that has gained traction in recent years.

Investing in Gender-Specific Training Programs:

Creating training programs specifically designed for women can help bridge the skills gap in the energy sector. By providing access to technical training and mentorship opportunities, women can acquire the necessary expertise and confidence to pursue careers in various energy-related roles. These can be enhanced by bringing together various networking and mentorship platforms in the region and ensuring targeted & gender-inclusive training opportunities for young professionals.

Engaging Men as Allies:

Including men as allies in efforts to promote gender equality is crucial. Men can play a significant role in challenging gender norms and advocating for a more inclusive workplace culture that values women's contributions and provides equal opportunities for career advancement.

To advance the journey toward net-zero, it is essential not only to seize emerging opportunities but also to intentionally integrate a GESI lens from the very conceptualization of interventions. At USAID’s South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP), we emphasize this approach through initiatives such as Participatory Gender Assessments (PGAs), capacity-building workshops for key stakeholders in the clean energy sector, and empowering rural women entrepreneurs to become active agents of the clean energy transition. Additionally, we produce knowledge products and curate events that highlight the importance of incorporating gender considerations in national and international forums. These efforts are rooted in a deliberate commitment to ensuring gender and social inclusion at every stage of our work.

Conclusion

The gender gap in the South Asian energy sector presents both challenges and opportunities. By addressing the underlying barriers and biases that hinder women’s participation, the region can unlock the full potential of its workforce and drive sustainable growth. Embracing gender-inclusive policies, investing in women’s education and training, and promoting entrepreneurship in clean energy are essential steps towards achieving a more equitable and thriving energy sector in South Asia. A gender-equal energy workforce will not only benefit the region’s sustainable development but also contribute to a more prosperous and inclusive society and will catalyze us closer towards achieving just transitions.

Authored By

Dr. Nidhi Prabha, GESI Advisor, USAID’s SAREP

August 22, 2024