Since its founding, how do you assess the progress of the Women and Energy Foundation? Having celebrated its first anniversary in December, our Foundation has experienced sustained growth, focusing primarily on our academic and social initiatives to support women in the energy sector in Panama and expanding into Latin America.
Made up of its founding council, executive management and an extraordinary team of volunteers, including Lissy Jované , Luisa Alvarado , Chun Xia Zhang , Katherina Santamaría and Denis Zúñiga , all professional women in the energy sector of our country.
In addition, we have established important alliances to date, such as those signed with Formato Educativo Business School of Spain, the Network of Women in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of Mexico, and the Ponte En Algo Volunteer Platform and Volunteers of Panama.
We have also carried out activities in collaboration with the 100 Global Women Leaders (G100), AES Panama Foundation, Colon Grows With You Foundation, Apede Colón, Eneryou, Externado University of Colombia and other women's networks in energy such as: GWNET Germany, WIN Lima Peru Section, Women Oil and Gas Colombia, WING Ecuador, MESOL Brazil.
Launching our first workshop of 2023, on "Nuclear Energy and the Role of Women in this Industry," in collaboration with WIN Chile. What are the main milestones you have achieved? Among our main achievements are:
- Partial scholarships awarded to 15 recipients through our 1st scholarship program for master's degrees in Spain 2023 in collaboration with Formato Educativo
- Collaboration with the G100 to form the first Engineering and Energy Wing in Panama and promote the leadership of its members.
- Regional networking for women in energy in Latin America in collaboration with other organizations in the region that promote these issues.
- Our team's participation in local events and forums such as "The 3rd edition of Renpower Central America" and "The 1st Regional Forum Women of Impact."
- Various workshops and courses with energy experts.
It is clear that women professionals in the energy sector today face significant barriers such as the perception of gender roles (a male-dominated industry), the double burden (work and motherhood), education (limited training, information or access to these energy careers), low participation in management positions in both the public and private sectors, and wage inequality, among others.
75% of women perceive barriers to entering and advancing in the energy sector, according to data from the report entitled "renewable energy: a gender perspective", prepared by IRENA.
That is why, in the face of the energy transition, women cannot be left out of this conversation and the opportunities it offers, especially given the large number of jobs being created and those yet to come, with the aim of eliminating any kind of gender bias in hiring.
For this reason, it is essential that companies develop effective plans and policies focused on breaking down these barriers and increasing women's participation in the industry. What management objectives are proposed for this year? In 2023, we aim to promote "women's leadership in energy," with relevant actions in both the academic and social spheres, in cooperation with other partners, to achieve transformative results in gender equality.
Where we will be holding our 1st leadership program and our 2nd call for applications for the partial scholarship program for master's degrees in Spain 2024.
We will also maintain our workshops and courses, incorporating tours to power plants, mentoring, and new partnerships.
These will be offered to women in Panama and the rest of Latin America, with the prospect of expanding and incorporating other sectors of society.
Therefore, I invite you to follow us on social media: Twitter - fundacion_mye | LinkedIn: Fundación Mujer y Energía | IG: fundamujeryenergia or write to us at fundacionmujeryenergia@gmail.com . Are you preparing any activities for your second anniversary on December 16, 2023? In our anniversary month, we plan, along with other partners, to donate energy-efficient devices to students and also collaborate on a toy drive at well-known stores across the country, for children from low-income families.