Hydropower sector struggles with gender inequality finds report

The hydropower sector is expected to employ 3.7 million individuals by 2050 but struggles with significant gender inequality, with women representing only 25% of its workforce, according to a new World Bank report.

This discrepancy underscores the urgent need to confront gender inequality in the industry and access the broadest talent pool, said the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).

The report, Power with full force: Getting to gender equality in the hydropower sector, establishes the first global baseline for gender equality within the hydropower sector and presents a set of best practices to foster diversity and inclusivity.

Based on 65 corporate and 900 individual survey responses, the report discusses the challenges women face in the field, such as gender biases, a shortage of women with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) qualifications and an unwelcoming work environment.

It also emphasises the importance of removing these obstacles to cultivate a more equitable and diverse hydropower sector. The research and analysis was performed by the International Hydropower Association in collaboration with the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET).

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The report highlights barriers to gender equality in the sector and identifies mechanisms for getting over those barriers to further women’s participation in the hydropower workforce at all levels. The report offers five key recommendations for stakeholders to consider when closing the remaining gender gaps in the sector:

“One of the most important things we can do to close the gender gap in the hydropower sector is to talk about it,” said Debbie Gray, interim head of policy with IHA. “We need to take stock and evaluate what the gender gaps are in the sector and find solutions to close those gaps. Publishing this report continues the conversation in the industry while providing practical, concrete and specific recommendations that different stakeholders can put into place.”

Building an inclusive and balanced workforce that offers equal opportunities for both men and women is economically and socially beneficial. The Power with full force report finds, that to leverage the talents and skills of diverse individuals, the hydropower sector should continue its efforts to be more inclusive and welcoming to women.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Women with Hydro Vision awards program, the program is designed to recognise the outstanding work that women are making in the hydroelectric industry. Winners will be recognized at a special luncheon at HYDROVISION International 2024. To find out more click here.

Originally published by Elizabeth Ingram on hydroreview.com.