Powered by Women
Powered by Women helps renewable energy companies build the business case for gender diversity. We promote business growth, efficiency and enhanced sustainability by supporting the private sector to ‘walk the talk’ and close gender gaps within their organization and the communities they work in. We also aim to assist member companies to achieve Powered by Women commitments in a range of different areas through access to relevant research, tools, and resources. Powered by Women helps member companies with training and resources to put in place gender-smart workplace initiatives.
Opportunities and risks
Both as employees and as members of affected communities women face opportunities and risks from renewable energy development, whether it’s hydro, wind or solar power. As employees, women are under-represented at all levels in this sector, particularly in leadership and technical jobs. This results in companies losing out on the well-established benefits of gender diversity: including access to talent, reduced absenteeism and improved productivity, better teamwork, innovation, improved community relationships, and uptake of environmental and social standards. In turn, women and their families miss out on good jobs and the income they provide.
Benefit sharing
Women in communities where renewable energy development is taking place can benefit from greater access to electricity and management of water resources in the case of hydropower projects. Benefit sharing and investments in the community can potentially increase women’s access to services and job opportunities.
On the other hand, women may be excluded from development plans and employment, and end up further disadvantaged by the development. The construction phase can bring with it new risks which can be minimized through more inclusive and gender sensitive community engagement and project planning.
Vision for Improving Gender Diversity in the Renewable Energy Sector
Read about IFC's efforts to bridge the gender gap in the hydropower sector in "It's not just men, maths and hard hats" in the latest issue of International Water Power and Dam Construction magazine.
Powered by Women Nepal:
Publication: Business Case for Gender Diversity and Equality in Nepal’s Hydropower Sector
Background Flyer: Powered by Women
6-Monthly Report: Please read Here
Powered by Women Nepal is a timebound initiative that works with renewable energy companies to build the case for gender equality and diversity and enhance business efficiency and sustainability. Nineteen companies have signed up to Powered by Women Nepal commitments to action for gender equality and diversity.
Webinar: “Powered” Learning Series
September 7-8, 2021
Communication Training
November 12, 2021
Powered Series#6 PbW Myanmar- Lessons Learned
November 23-26, 2021
Training on Gender and Hydropower (Part II)
Powered Series #5: Enabling More Women to Enter Fields in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
May 19, 2021
For more details, please see the Flyer.
Powered Series #4: Operationalizing Respectful Workplaces
April 21, 2021
For more details, please see the Flyer.
Powered Series# 3: Building Respectful Workplaces
March 4, 2021
For more details, please see the Flyer.
Powered Series# 2: Women in Non-Traditional Jobs
January 20, 2021
For more details, please see the Flyer.
Powered Series# 1 : Women in Leadership
November 25, 2020
For more details, please see the Flyer.
Powered by Women Myanmar:
Please read our brochure
Webinar: “Powered” Learning Series
Powered by Women members want to reap the benefits of gender diversity and close gender gaps within their operation. The “Powered” Learning Series is designed to give these companies tools and knowledge to help them understand gender gaps in their organization and develop and implement gender smart interventions. Previous topics include employer-supported childcare and how to enhance stakeholder engagement. The webinars are designed for human resource professionals and policy makers, however all staff of member companies are welcome to attend.
Powered #10 - End of Program Review and Endline Survey
March 26, 2020
Powered #9 - Keeping Good Records of Project Activities
January 29, 2020
Powered #8 - Human Resources and Non-Traditional Jobs
January 14, 2020
Powered #7 - Enhancing opportunities for women in leadership
December 13, 2019
Powered #6 - Business Case for Gender Equality
September 25, 2019
Powered #5 - Communications Master Class: From Page to Stage: Deliver Compelling Presentations Follow Up
August 20, 2019
Powered #4 - Findings of the recently released IFC report Respectful Workplaces: Exploring the Costs of Bullying and Sexual Harassment to Businesses in Myanmar
May 31, 2019
Powered #3 - Monitoring and Evaluation Knowledge Sharing Session
May 20, 2019
Powered #2 - Enhancing Engagement of Women as Stakeholders
February 18, 2019
Powered #1 - Employer Supported Childcare
January 18, 2019
For more information on becoming a member, contact:
Kate Lazarus, Team Leader, Hydro Advisory
e-mail: klazarus@ifc.org
Nepal: Bipina Sharma, Coordinator, Powered by Women
e-mail: Bipina.sharma@gmail.com
Myanmar: Ellen Maynes, Operations Officer, Gender
e-mail: emaynes@ifc.org
