- The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the Global Womenโs Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET) have announced the participants for the third edition of their jointly organised Women in Wind Global Leadership Programme, which aims to enhance gender diversity across the wind sector.
According to a joint media statement, this yearโs participants have been selected out of a diverse applicant pool of over 200 applicants from across a variety of countries, disciplines, and sectors in the wind industry.
GWEC and GWNET have selected 15 participants from 11 countries to take part in the year-long programme which focuses on providing training, mentorship, and fostering knowledge and skills-sharing to advance the participantsโ careers to leadership roles.
Now in its third edition, the Global Leadership Programme is partnering with global industry leaders who recognise the urgency to address gender inequality across our sector. This yearโs partners include Vestas, Mainstream Renewable Power, Ocean Winds, and EWI Group.
Joyce Lee, head of policy and projects at GWEC, said: โAs wind power continues its growth into new and existing markets, we must strengthen our efforts towards mainstreaming diversity and inclusions across the wind industry to shape a dynamic and competitive workforce that can drive innovation and accelerate the energy transition.
โGlobally, the wind sector is still male-dominated, but the growing interest from companies and individuals alike to participate in the Women in Wind programme demonstrates the growing support around our vision of a more diverse and inclusive industry.โ
Participants of the Women in Wind Global Leadership Programme 2021 are nationals or residents of Peru, India, Spain, South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Kenya, Russian Federation, and Turkey. The full list of participants in the 2021 edition of the Women in Wind Global Leadership Program can be foundย here.
Christine Lins, Executive Director at GWNET, also commented: โWe are thrilled to have received over double the volume of applications in 2021 compared to last year, especially during a time when the pandemic hampered efforts towards gender equality in many sectors. The profiles of the applicants we received this year were very impressive, and it is inspiring to see so many women across the world working to accelerate the global energy transition. With 15 new participants this year, we look forward to continue empowering women professionals and supporting their career advancement to leadership positions.โ
The Women in Wind programme is a great platform to network with wind industry leaders from various disciplines and cultures, and to gain a better understanding of wind powerโs expansion globally, stated Nibedita Sahoo, assistant lead engineer, Vestas Wind Systems and 2021 Women in Wind participant.
โI am excited about meeting women professionals who have made their own path into the wind industry workforce,โ said Andrea Cornejo, Project Manager, Mainstream Renewable Power
Author: Babalwa Bungane
Babalwa Bungane is a content creator/editor for ESI Africa – Clarion Events Africa. Babalwa has been writing for the publication for five years. She has a great interest in social media due to its advantage of disseminating content.ย This article was originally published on ESI Africa and is republished with permission with minor editorial changes.