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By Adewale Sanyaolu
An advocacy group, Women in Energy Network (WIEN) has expressed concern over the 12 per cent senior management roles currently being occupied by the female gender.
This was as the group lamented a recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), put the statistics of women working in the country’s energy industry at 22 per cent.
Chairperson, WIEN, Funmi Ogbue, stated this in her welcome address as part of activities marking the International Women’s Day(IWD) celebration in Lagos held in Lagos recently.
Ogbue, explained that 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, she lamented that women still face significant barriers to entry and advancement in the energy sector.
‘‘That is why the WIEN 2023 International Women’s Day
Breakfast Session is so timely and essential. This event brings together industry experts, policymakers, and advocates to share insights on the various programs and initiatives aimed at promoting equitable access for women in the Nigerian energy industry.
As we celebrate the progress we have made in advancing the role of women in the energy sector, we are also aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
According to a recent report by the International Energy Agency, women make up only 22 per cent of the energy industry’s workforce in Nigeria, and only 12 per cent occupy senior management roles. This highlights the need for concerted efforts to promote gender diversity in the sector, and we believe that the new administration has a critical role to play in this regard.
Since our 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 programs. Some of our key activities include:
On the 2023 International Women’s Day Breakfast Session which held recently with the theme “Programmes and Initiatives for Equitable Access for Women in the Nigerian Energy Industry,” and we are excited to be organizing it in partnership with Women in Shell Network and Seplat Awesome Women’s Network.
Now in its third edition, our first two breakfast sessions have successfully brought together women in the industry to discuss the challenges they face and share experiences. These sessions have provided valuable insights into the issues affecting women in the sector, and we are committed to addressing these challenges through our upcoming event.
That is why the WIEN 2023 International Women’s Day Breakfast Session is so timely and essential. This event brings together industry experts, policymakers, and advocates to share insights on the various programs and initiatives aimed at promoting equitable access for women in the Nigerian energy industry.
As we celebrate the progress, we have made in advancing the role of women in the energy sector, we are also aware of the challenges that lie ahead. According to a recent report by the International Energy Agency, women make up only 22% of the energy industry’s workforce in Nigeria, and only 12% occupy senior management roles. This highlights the need for concerted efforts to promote gender diversity in the sector, and we believe that the new administration has a critical role to play in this regard.
Since our 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 programs. Some of
our key activities include,’’.
According to her, some of the capacity building initiatives organized
by WIEN included; providing training and mentoring opportunities because it is
believed that women need to be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge
to succeed in the energy sector.
To this end, she said
WIEN has organized training and mentoring programs that provide women with the
tools they need to advance their careers.
‘‘We understand the importance of networking in the energy
sector, and we have organized several events that bring women in the industry
together to share experiences, build relationships, and create opportunities.
Advocating for equal opportunities and gender diversity in
the workplace because We believe that gender diversity is essential for the success
of the energy sector, and we have been actively advocating for equal
opportunities and gender diversity in the workplace,’’
She added that While WIEN is committed to working towards
the goal of advancement of women in the energy sector, it looks forward to
collaborating with the new administration to create a more equitable and
inclusive energy sector and to prioritize 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
programs for women in the industry and to encourage public-private partnerships
that promote gender diversity in the sector,’’.
