Women in Energy: “Engines of Change Towards Sustainability”
The need for an energy transition to reduce the use of fossil fuels and shift to much more sustainable energy sources has become a crucial global goal. This has required technological innovations, investments in green infrastructure, and international commitment to ensure a fair transition worldwide.
Although the energy sector has historically been male-dominated, women are increasingly playing a more significant role in the energy transition. This change not only reflects progress toward greater equity but also stands as a testament to how women have made strides in various industries throughout history.
It is essential to understand how women have overcome obstacles and paved their way to leadership, even in complex and specialized fields such as energy.
Women´s Labor History in Mexico
Women’s roles in the workforce were very limited; their labor was primarily focused on domestic activities or agriculture, without participating in production activities. It wasn’t until the Industrial Revolution that women began entering the industry.
Labor rights for women gained strength through the fight for equality and legal recognition. Specifically, in Mexico, the 1917 Constitutional Reform laid the foundation for greater equity. Article 4 established that “men and women are equal before the law,”marking a significant step forward in the protection of women’s rights. This provision reflected the growing momentum toward gender equality, although much progress was still needed in terms of female participation in key sectors like energy.
In 1974, under the premise that women should enjoy absolute equality with men in the exercise of their rights and responsibilities, the Constitution was reformed. This marked a significant step toward the inclusion of women in all sectors of the country, including the energy sector, paving the way for their participation and the development of more inclusive policies.
Impacts on Women’s Empowerment in the Energy Sector
Despite progress in recognizing women’s rights, their participation in the energy sector remains very limited, and they continue to face challenges in achieving equitable representation. Globally, women represent only 22% of the workforce in this industry, according to data from the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO).
In Mexico, women’s participation in decision-making within the energy sector would not only contribute to greater equity but also lead to the creation of solutions more adapted to local realities.
In the article “Gender and Energy: Insights from the Literature” by López, J., & Castro, P., published in Energy for Sustainable Development, it discusses how gender inclusion in the energy sector can contribute to innovative and sustainable solutions, particularly in the field of renewable energy and universal access, areas where new approaches are daily needed to address major challenges such as climate change and better energy
access.
The inclusion of women in the energy sector is not only a matter of gender equity, but it can also be strategic in improving the efficiency and sustainability of energy solutions.
Barriers for Women in the Energy Sector
Education is one of the main barriers in the gender gap. Currently, girls have less access to education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), limiting their possibilities of entering the energy sector.
Additionally, in the workplace, gender discrimination, lack of role models, and policies that facilitate work-life balance, as well as the low representation of women in leadership positions, can hinder development in a competitive environment like the energy sector.
Initiatives Promoting Women’s Empowerment in Energy
The empowerment of women in the Mexican energy sector is crucial for achieving an inclusive and sustainable energy transition. Various initiatives are promoting female participation in this field, including the Women in Energy and Energy Efficiency Network, considered the first network of women in the sector in Mexico. Its main goal is to promote a renewable energy and energy efficiency sector that fosters the full development of women and men under conditions of equality.
Additionally, initiatives are being promoted through the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), which has implemented electrification projects with a gender perspective, promoting mechanisms for women to participate on equal terms in the implementation of social management plans.
These initiatives reflect the commitment to integrating women into the energy sector, recognizing their fundamental role in building a more equitable and sustainable future.
Empowering women is a key factor in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly universal access to sustainable energy. Throughout history, women have overcome countless barriers to participate actively in the sector, and today they play a key role in building a fairer and more sustainable energy future. The inclusion of women is not only a matter of equity but also of efficiency and effectiveness in addressing global energy challenges.
Promoting substantive equality between women and men is not only a right but also a necessity for building a more just and prosperous society. There are still barriers limiting women’s access to education, decent work, health, and participation in decision-making, whether at the family, social, or political level.
It is essential to promote and strengthen public policies, awareness programs, and concrete actions in all areas, both public and private. Women should not only be seen as beneficiaries of these policies but as active agents of change whose participation is essential for the progress of society as a whole.
Thus, the task of promoting women’s development must be a shared responsibility. It is not enough to acknowledge the need for equality; it is imperative to act together to close the gaps and build a more equal future for all.
By the Deputy Director of Institutional Relations and Government, Alicia Silva Orozco from Énestas – Raw Materials and Fuels.
